A local community center and eatery will soon open a much-needed health center as they expand their focus.
The Brownsville Community Culinary Center, located at 69 Belmont Ave., has announced that in addition to their restaurant, culinary training program and community space, they will soon debut a Diabetes Wellness Program, with an aim to serve the neighborhood.
“Health begins in the community,” said Rae Gomes, who was recently announced as the BCCC’s new executive director, in a statement. “The goal of the DWP is to create and sustain community-based mechanisms that support Brownsville residents looking to maintain healthy habits during and beyond the program.”
The program is set to launch in April. It will provide access to healthy food through a meal program, social services, help and support with medical care and education sessions for both groups and individuals about diabetes.
All the food in the meal program was inspired by the African diaspora and created by Collective Fare, a catering company that works on site at BCCC. During the pandemic, they pivoted to providing meals to the residents of Brownsville. Collective Fare also currently operates the BCCC’s on-site cafe, which remains open.
The culinary training program, thankfully, has not disappeared.
The BCCC says they plan to reopen a modified version of the program later this year, with a shift to address some of the changes that have occurred in the restaurant industry over the past year.
This story first appeared on Brownstoner.com.
