Jumpstart Your Health This Fall

Plant Powered Metro New York (PPMNY) has opened registration for its popular Jumpstart health empowerment program, offering three virtual cohorts this fall — two in English and one in Spanish. The program equips participants with the knowledge, skills and community to adopt a whole food, plant-based (WFPB) diet, proven to dramatically improve health outcomes and overall well-being.

Research shows that a whole food, plant-based diet is a powerful tool for preventing, treating, and even reversing many chronic diseases that are prevalent in our communities. By focusing on whole, unprocessed foods like fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, this way of eating addresses the root causes of illness and promotes sustainable health improvements.

Chronic diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and obesity, disproportionately affect New Yorkers in communities of color and lower-income neighborhoods. In a report issued earlier this year, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene reported that chronic and diet-related diseases, including heart disease, diabetes and some cancers, were the leading causes of death and premature death across all racial and ethnic groups in the city. In 2021, chronic disease caused more than 40% of premature deaths, and more than 30,000 New Yorkers of any age died from these conditions.

In areas like the South Bronx, Central Brooklyn, and Harlem, diabetes hospitalization rates are two to three times higher than in wealthier neighborhoods, while heart disease remains the leading cause of premature death across the city, with Black and Latino New Yorkers facing higher risks and worse outcomes.

“In some New York neighborhoods, the burden of chronic disease is a daily reality. These health disparities not only impact quality of life but contribute to billions annually in preventable healthcare costs,” said Lianna Levine Reisner, founding director of PPMNY. “The Jumpstart empowers people of all backgrounds to take back control of their health with the support of community, mentorship, and delicious plant-powered food.”

The Jumpstart program has helped thousands across the metro area prevent and treat chronic health conditions. A recent evaluation conducted with SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University showed significant improvements in participants’ nutrition knowledge, energy levels, mental clarity, and BMI. Ninety-eight percent said they’d recommend it to others. The program also helped participants overcome myths about the cost and cultural relevance of WFPB diets.

In the program, participants engage in weekly live sessions, cooking demos, mentorship, and affinity group support, with access to culturally relevant resources via PPMNY’s mobile app.

“I see every day how lifestyle choices directly affect patient health outcomes. Programs like the Jumpstart that focus on whole food, plant-based nutrition can make a profound difference—not only in lowering blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar, but also in empowering people to take an active role in their well-being," said Dr. Hooman Yaghoobzadeh, Cardiologist and Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine New York-Presbyterian Hospital.

“Before the Jumpstart, I was struggling with a series of health issues. After just a few weeks of eating whole foods and healthier meals, I felt so much better,” said former participant Sherika Sterling of Flushing, Queens. “The program made healthy eating feel accessible and enjoyable. I never thought plant-based meals could fit my culture or budget, but now my sister also eats this way.”

Fall 2025 Jumpstart Registration is now open at: www.plantpoweredmetrony.org/ju...
Programs begin in September and October. Registration is $150, though fees are on a sliding scale based on financial status.

PPMNY will also host several free market tours, cooking demonstrations, and learning events across New York City in the upcoming weeks. For a full list of events, visit: https://plantpoweredmetrony.org/events/.