After growing weary of food insecurity in Bridgeport's East End, along with their neighborhood being considered food desert, community leaders stepped up to do something about it. Armed with a vision, love for their community, a plan, and the support of the Bridgeport Neighborhood Trust, members of the Bridgeport Coalition United to Reach Equity (CURE) project, which includes amongst several others, Deborah Thomas-Sims, Kristin duBay Horton, and Deborah Caviness took action.
The group created the East End NRZ Pop-Up Market and Café which aspires to ensure that residents will have access to affordable, high-quality fresh produce, fruits, and nonperishable food items. The Coalition was one of two recipients in the country to receive funding from the Aetna Foundation's Healthiest Cities & Counties Challenge. Project Longevity's Harold Dimbo, Aquil Crooks, Edgardo Soberal, and Brent Peterkin provided ongoing support for the initiative by volunteering their skills, resources, and Project Longevity participants to help out when called to action. The team will continue to encourage support from the street group involved individuals who are engaged through Project Longevity's violence intervention efforts.