Bronx Residents Speak Out Against New Fresh Direct Headquarters
NY1
By: Spectrum News NY1
Despite some pushback from the community, online grocer FreshDirect has officially opened its new local headquarters in the Bronx.
The facility consolidates the company's food manufacturing and distribution operations that were once spread across three buildings in Long Island City.
FreshDirect had outgrown its Queens location and considered relocating to New Jersey, but former mayor Michael Bloomberg's administration gave the company nearly $130 million in tax breaks and subsidies to move to the Bronx instead.
Community advocates have concerns about increased truck traffic and air pollution, in a community with some of the highest asthma rates in the city.
"What happened today wasn't a ribbon cutting ceremony, it was grand larceny. Grand larceny of our health," said Monxo Lopez of South Bronx Unite.
