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THRIVE ON! Soft Launches PonckHockie Market with Youth-Led, Community-Centered Model
THRIVE ON! Network Inc. (THRIVE ON!) has announced the soft launch of the PonckHockie Market, a youth-led initiative designed to expand food access and celebrate culture in Kingston’s PonckHockie neighborhood.
May 16, 2024
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A Market Rooted in Community and Culture
The market, organized and run by THRIVE ON!’s Early Thrivers program, takes place on the Community Action of Ulster County campus, located in a neighborhood recognized as a food desert. By turning an everyday parking lot into a hub of food, culture, and connection, THRIVE ON! is reimagining how communities can meet their own needs.
Each month, the market centers on a different cultural or community theme. For example, during African American History Month, proceeds supported the African Burial Ground. This model allows the market to not only provide food, but also to highlight and resource causes tied directly to the communities it uplifts.
Income-Based Pricing
PonckHockie Market also introduces an income-based pricing system, ensuring families of all backgrounds can participate. This structure reflects THRIVE ON!’s belief that access to fresh, healthy food is a right—not a privilege—and that solutions should be built with equity at their core.
Youth at the Helm
The soft launch represents the first major project led by THRIVE ON!’s six Early Thrivers, local youth from in and around Kingston. From planning themed markets to setting up pricing structures, their leadership is shaping a market designed for and by the community it serves.
“This market is more than a place to buy food,” said Keyvious Avery, President of THRIVE ON!. “It’s about building community power, celebrating culture, and proving that youth-led solutions can transform even the most persistent challenges.”
About THRIVE ON!
THRIVE ON! is a youth-driven nonprofit based in Kingston, NY. Beginning with its pilot Early Thrivers program, THRIVE ON! equips young people and grassroots leaders to design, build, and lead the solutions their communities need.