Plant Powered Metro New York is hosting its fourth annual Health Freedom Walks, a series of six community walks across the metro region that blend movement, culture, and plant-powered food in honor of Dr. King’s legacy.
The walks will take place on Jan. 19, Jan. 20 and Feb. 4, bringing together neighbors, families and allies to explore local streets, landmarks and 18 participating eateries.
The Health Freedom Walks are progressive neighborhood experiences, part walk inspired by Dr. King’s marches, part cultural exploration and part restaurant crawl, spotlighting whole food, plant-based dishes priced at $10 or less.
“Health freedom is about access to nourishing food and the support to make healthy choices. These walks bring that mission into the streets,” said Rebecca Johnson, PPMNY Culinary Partnerships Manager and lead organizer of the walks. “We invite everyone to join us for movement, meaningful conversation and delicious food.”
Many participating eateries are independent and Black-owned. Walk marshals provide historical context and reflections on Dr. King’s vision of justice, dignity and collective wellbeing.
Plant Powered Metro New York uses the walks to elevate health equity and community connection, highlighting plant-based food traditions rooted in Black and diasporic cultures and advancing food-as-medicine as a tool to prevent and reverse diet-related illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity, which disproportionately impact communities of color.
The Bed-Stuy Health Freedom Walk takes place on Monday, Jan. 19, from 2:00pm to 5:00pm.
The walk begins at Restoration Plaza, 1368 Fulton St. Stops include Ginjan Cafe at 333 Nostrand Ave. serving a hot veggie wrap; Natural Blend at 243 Malcolm X Blvd. offering a Jamaican patty or bean soup; and Ava’s Lifeline at 754 DeKalb Ave. with hot chocolate or ginger turmeric tea paired with a chocolate chip cookie. Each dish is designed to build into a complete meal.
The Bed-Stuy walk marshal and speaker is Miles McAfee of CUNY Medgar Evers College. The event is hosted by Magda Slawecka, a PPMNY mentor and volunteer.
Additional Health Freedom Walks will take place in Jamaica, Queens; Harlem; Riverdale and Mott Haven in the Bronx; and Bridgeport, Conn.
