In the news: Fresh Direct Spurs Border War with New Jersey
Confused about proposed subsidies to the online grocer? You're not alone. Our breakdown is here.
Fresh Direct, which has received over $2 million in subsidies for its Queens facility, is threatening to move its operations to New Jersey unless it receives an incentive pacakge for a South Bronx location. City, State and Bronx officials have proposed a subsidy package worth over $100 million. Residents of the South Bronx are responding to the proposed subsidies. A diverse coalition, South Bronx Unite - Stop Fresh Direct is actively working to block Fresh Direct's potential move to their neighborhood.
Fresh Direct, which is often criticized for its low wages, has been approved for an $81 million subsidy package through the New York City Industrial Development Agency to build a new facility at Harlem River Yards in The Bronx (IDA materials are here, here and here). The firm is expected to recieve approximatley $40 million more in capital grants, tax credits and loans from New York State and the Bronx Borough President and Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation.
Read GJNY's 10 Reasons Why You Should Sour on Fresh Direct's Proposed Subsidies for Expanding at Harlem River Yards in the Bronx
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New York Association of Grocery Stores join South Bronx Unite! and others in press conference announcing opposition to City's proposed subsidy to Fresh Direct: November 14, 2012
Grocers and bodega owners join in opposition to this outrageous misuse of public funds that would give Fresh Direct an unfair competitive advantage leading to the closure of vital bricks and mortar stores, and the jobs that they provide, in the South Bronx and throughout New York City.
Coverage from South Bronx Unite
Statement from Good Jobs New York
Residents, South Bronx Unite! file lawsuit against Fresh Direct and public entities for failing to conduct proper environmental assessment: June 12, 2012
In an effort to stop Fresh Direct from moving to the Harlem River Yards in the South Bronx, area residents and members of South Bronx Unite filed a lawsuit in The Bronx stating that the on-line grocer and various city and state agencies failed to conduct a throrough environmental assesment. Read the amended petition.
Council Memebers question Harlem River Rail Yard lease (proposed Fresh Direct location): May 7, 2012
City Council Members Melissa Mark-Viverito and Maria Carmen del Arroyo urge State Department of Transportation Commissioner to re-evaluate the lease for the proposed site for Fresh Direct's new facility. Concerns include potentially heavy truck traffic in an increasingly residential neighborhood with notoriously high asthma rates. Read the letter.
IDA Board of Directors preliminary vote: February 14, 2012
The IDA Board of Directors voted to approve the project with one dissenting vote from the New York City Comptroller's Office. As a result of pressure from the community, immediatley after the vote, the Bronx Borough President's Office released a Memorandum of Understanding with Fresh Direct to address communtiy concerns. Read the board book from the meeting (pages 50-70 for Fresh Direct materials).
South Bronx Residents Respond: February 13, 2012
Community group, South Bronx Unite - Stop Fresh Direct releases comments in advance of a press conference regarding the upcoming vote on city subsidies.
Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito asks members of the IDA Board to delay its vote on proposed subsidies for Fresh Direct, to allow more time for community input.
IDA Public Hearing: February 9, 2012
The New York City Industrial Development Agency held its monthly public hearing: Good Jobs New York joined community members, enviornmental advocates and transportation experts to testifiy against proposed benefits to for Fresh Direct to relocate in the South Bronx. See a sampling of testimony:
Bronx Council for Environmental Quality
Charles Komanoff, analysis of traffic delays
New York City Coalition Against Hunger
The POINT Community Development Corporation
Tri-State Transportation Campaign
Press release announcing Fresh Direct proposal: February 7, 2012
New York City , State and Bronx officials announce a susbsidy package of approximately $120 million just two days prior to the public hearing vote by the IDA board. The lack of public process ignited a groundswell of opposition from local residents and community groups.
News highlights:
City Limits, FreshDirect Job Vows: At Odds with Environmental Claims? May 16, 2013
New York Times, Residents Sue FreshDirect Over Move to the Bronx, March 4, 2013
DNA info, FreshDirect Defends New Bronx Facility Against Legal Challenge, March 4, 2013
Citi Limits, Fresh Direct Deal Divides Rising Stars, November 30, 2012
Mott Haven Herald, Grocery group announces opposition to FreshDirect, November 14, 2012
Gothamist, Billionaires, Small Businesses Rally Against FreshDirect, November 14, 2012
DNA Info, Gristedes Owner and Other Grocers Join Fight vs. FreshDirect's Subsidies, November 14, 2012
Daily News, Supermarket owners join fight against FreshDirect in South Bronx while activists fume over truck dump, November 14, 2012
Mott Haven Herald, FreshDirect brings hobbled trucks to Port Morris, November 13, 2012
News12, FreshDirect trucks discarded in Mott Haven, November 12, 2012
Crain's Insider, Gristedes’ Catsimatidis to fight FreshDirect subsidies, November 9, 2012
New York Association of Grocery Stores, Fairway, FreshDirect, and the Importance of Neighborhood Stores, November November 9, 2012
Daily News, Opponents of FreshDirect move to South Bronx add to lawsuit against government-subsidized project, September 10, 2012
Ecosalon, Behind the Label: Investigating FreshDirect's local commitment, August 29, 2012
Crain's New York Business, FreshDirect pushes online food stamp shopping, July 11, 2012
BronxTalk, Host Gary Axelbank discusses the facts about Fresh Direct with guests, June 18, 2012
Village Voice, South Bronxites Sue FreshDirect, City For Ducking Asthma Risk Study, June 13, 2012
The Riverdale Press, point of view, FreshDirect: Stay out, June 13, 2012
Mott Haven Herald, Mott Haven residents sue FreshDirect, June 13, 2012
WNYC, Community Activists Sue to Stop Fresh Direct from Moving In, June 12, 2012
Daily News, FreshDirect deal is sour, sez lawsuit, June 12, 2012
The Riverdale Press point of view, Boycott Fresh Direct, June 6, 2012
DNA Info, City Strikes a Deal for Bronx Bridge to Randall's Island, May 24, 2012
Haven on the Harlem: The South Bronx Struggles to Reclaim a River (interactive news feature of Mott Haven Herald): Balancing Act Between Jobs and Green Space, May 14, 2012
Daily News, Fresh Direct's rotten Bronx deal, May 13, 2012
Daily News, Two City Council members ask state to delay South Bronx deal for FreshDirect pending property audit , May 9, 2012
Daily News, The battle over FreshDirect and the Hunts Point Market has cast the issue of government assistance into sharp focus, April 29, 2012
The Riverdale Press, The Bronx is burning ... from fossil fuel, March 28, 2012
Mott Haven Herald, FreshDirect protesters take their beef to Manhattan, March 22, 2012
Bronx Matters, Brooklynites Share Development Fight Lessons with Boogie Down Brethren, March 12, 2012
Crain's New York Business, [also re-printed in the blog of The New School] Are subsidies to keep firms in NY worth it?, March 4, 2012
Alternet, How FreshDirect Delivers Misery Along With Your Groceries--And How Workers and the Community are Fighting Back, March 4, 2012
WNYC, In Fresh Direct Move to the Bronx, Food Delivery to Borough Not a Priority, February 27, 2012
The New York Times, For Fresh Direct, an Old-Fashioned Handout, February 23, 2012
Bronx Times, Mott Haven residents rally over relocation of Fresh Direct headquarters, February 20, 2012
The New York Times, In Bronx, FreshDirect and Land of Great Promises, February 20, 2012
The Riverdale Press, Under the wire, February 15, 2012
The Mott Haven Herald, City approves FreshDirect subsidies, February 14, 2012
The New York Times, Criticism of FreshDirect Deal Is Off Base, City Officials Say, February 14, 2012
Village Voice, liveblog of IDA Board Meeting, February 14, 2012
Crain's New York, Opposition to FreshDirect subsidy deal mounts, February 13, 2012
New York Post: Column, February 10, 2012
Queens Courier, Is Fresh Direct moving from L.I.C.? January 18, 2012
New York Daily News, Bronx, New Jersey vying for new Fresh Direct headquarters, January 16, 2012
The New York Times, New Jersey Tries to Lure Fresh Direct From Queens, January 10, 2012
Related Public Documents
Materials released in advance of the IDA public hearing:
- notice of public hearing,
- updated cost/benefit memo,
- orignal cost/benefit analysis
- 1999 lease agreement between IDA and Fresh Direct for the site located at 23-30 Borden Avenue, Long Island City, Queens
Power Point presentation given at February 14, 2012 IDA Board meeting; see pages 17-22 for the section presenting the Fresh Direct project.
IDA Board Book February 2012; see pages 50-70 for materials pertinent to the Fresh Direct deal.
Memorandum of Understanding with Bronx Borough President, Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation, and Fresh Direct; February 2012
1994 New York State Department of Transportation Record of Decision on the use of Harlem River Yards
1999 Lease Agreement between the NYC Industrial Development Agency and Fresh Direct for the lease of the firm's current property in Queens
Final Environmental Assessment Form for Fresh Direct, December 2011 (coming soon)
Materials submitted on behalf of Fresh Direct to NJ Economic Development Authority. All materials submitted by consulting firm BLS:
- Incentives Overview
- Project review
- Welcome Letter
- NJEDA Application for Financial Assistance
- Urban Transit Hub Tax Credit Application
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