Bronx Legends launches nutrition initiative, distributes free produce to youth and families
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Summary
Bronx Legends, a youth boxing academy in the South Bronx, launched a nutrition initiative during National Nutrition Month, distributing free produce in partnership with Sharing Access and the Bronx Borough President’s office and aiming to provide weekly produce to more than 500 members.
Bronx Legends, a youth boxing academy that opened seven months ago in the South Bronx, launched a nutrition initiative in March, distributing bags of fresh produce to members and families in a kickoff farmers market.
The program, paired with athletic and academic programming, aims to address food access and nutrition as part of a three-pillar approach organizers described as wellness and health, diet and boxing, and academics. A staff member said the initiative will give free produce to members alongside athletic and academic programming to help sustain athletes’ bodies and performance.
"We are giving free produce to our members. It's kicking off our nutrition initiative," the staff member said, adding the academy provides athletic and academic programming and wants students to have "the best nutrition." Organizers said Bronx Legends has more than 500 students and set a fundraising goal of $15,000 to provide weekly produce for the next year.
Guest speaker Shannon Briggs, introduced at the event as a two-time heavyweight world champion, encouraged healthier eating for athletic success. Briggs said nutrition and sleep are foundational: "You can't do anything without good food." A presenter at the event outlined how processed foods affect the body and underscored education about diet in daily life.
A resident at the event urged attention to nutrition for broader community health, saying "about more than 80, 90 percent of health conditions are related to nutrition or poor nutrition," and called for daily changes to improve children’s well-being.
Organizers credited partners including Sharing Access and the Bronx Borough President's office for helping distribute the produce. They said Bronx Legends plans to distribute food weekly to students and their families to ensure proper nutrition accompanies workout and academic programs.
The farmers market served as the public kickoff; organizers said the distribution and education efforts will continue as part of the academy’s programming. Satrice McQueen with BronxNet reported from the event.
