Farm Share Program Wraps Up Successful Season at Two Community Health Centers

This post was written by Milagros Neyra, Community Health Project Manager.

The Bronx Health REACH/Corbin Hill Farm Share Program wrapped up a successful season with over 500 bags of fresh and affordable fruits and vegetables distributed to Mt. Hope, Morris Heights, and Soundview residents. While the Farm Share site at the Institute for Family Health’s (IFH) Stevenson Family Health Center continued for a second year, IFH’s Walton Family Health Center debuted as a new, second location for the Farm Share program.

The summer Farm Share season ran from July to November 2019. Participants picked up their bags, consisting of five to seven vegetables and one fruit, at the Walton Family Health Center on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month, and Stevenson participants picked up their bags on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month. From its inception, the Farm Share program was designed to give the neighborhood residents access to affordable, locally grown fresh produce. Recipes were provided so customers would have creative ways to prepare their vegetables at home. Cooking demonstrations, led by community chefs and supported by the Corbin Hill Food Project, were held at the locations allowing customers to taste test recipes using the vegetables.

“Having the Farm Share program at the Walton Family Health Center brought our patients, community members, and staff together for a common goal: to be able to purchase affordable, fresh produce, that is otherwise difficult to access in this community,” said Marlin Morel, Farm Share site coordinator for the Walton Family Health Center. “As a Health Coach, my goal is to teach our patients that food is the best medicine, and eating a balanced diet of fresh, whole foods is instrumental in their journey to better health.”

To participate in the program, patients, staff, and community members can sign up onsite or online at any time. By placing an order at least one week in advance of the pick-up date, participants can enjoy high quality and locally grown produce delivered to their health centers. “I'm so grateful that this program was in our neighborhood. Health statistics for the Bronx are very devastating and we desperately need this type of program, as well as the cooking and education about the right things to eat,” said Veronica Millender, a resident of Castle Hill for 43 years and a Farm Share program participant since 2018. “Having the Farm Share year round would mean more healthy residents and less chronic conditions. The big picture is the Bronx having healthier residents who are eating well and can afford to buy fresh produce for their families.”

Participants purchased the produce using cash, credit, debit, EBT/SNAP and Health Bucks. The affordable prices and flexibility of payment options, makes the Farm Share program accessible for all to purchase foods that may have been previously unattainable. The Winter Farm Share Season is scheduled to begin mid-January at the Stevenson and Walton locations. The Winter Farm Share Season begins January 14th at the Walton Family Health Center and January 21st at the Stevenson Family Health Center. If you would like to participate, you can order online or email Mila Neyra, Community Health Project Manager at mineyra@institute.org, or call (212) 633-0800 ext. 1224.

Bronx Health REACH and the Institute for Family Health Urban Horizons Family Health Center Help Address Food Insecurity amongst Patients

This post was written by Mickelder Kercy, Evaluation Assistant for Bronx Health REACH.

Bronx Health REACH and the Institute for Family Health’s Urban Horizons Family Health Center (IFH) are implementing an innovative program that aims to bridge the gap between a health center and community-based organizations (CBOs) to improve patients’ health behaviors and health outcomes.

This CDC-funded program will have two main components: a screening phase and a referral phase. At the IFH Urban Horizons Family Health Center, all patients who are 18 years and older will be screened to determine if they are food insecure.

Patients who identify as food insecure will meet with a physician who will then refer them to a case manager. The case manager will connect the patient with resources in the community using “Aunt Bertha,” an online platform that lists up-to-date information about community-based organizations, as well as tracks the referrals to ensure that the needs of the patient are met. Bronx Health REACH is developing partnerships with food pantries and soup kitchens near Urban Horizons Family Health Center to ensure that these organizations have the ability to serve our patients.

We are ideally looking for food pantries and soup kitchens that accept a wide range of clients, serve/provide healthy foods, and offer additional support services. The goal of this intervention is to provide patients who lack sufficient food at home to have access to, and consume, nutritionally healthy foods. This is important, as many of our patients suffer from diabetes, hypertension and obesity. One patient has told us, “I just accept what they (the food pantry) offer. There’s not a lot of really fresh food, only one fruit.” Another patient added, “They have old food and it is not healthy. We need to help people with illnesses to prevent chronic conditions.”

The Food Insecurity Screening and Referral Program will be monitored and evaluated by our evaluation team to measure the impact of the program. We will report on the number of patients screened positively for food insecurity at Urban Horizons Family Health Center and referred to CBOs in their neighborhood. Data will also be collected on the number of patients identified as food insecure who have a diagnosis of diabetes, hypertension or obesity.

When analyzing the data, our evaluation team will estimate the percentage of patients screened for food insecurity who are no longer food insecure after one year of receiving supplemental foods at the CBOs, as a means of measuring program impact. Additionally, we will evaluate the potential impact of the program on patient blood sugar level, blood pressure level and/or weight.

To ensure that patients are satisfied with the Food Insecurity Screening and Referral Program, a sample of patients who were part of the program will be interviewed during the first 6 months of the intervention. We will also solicit feedback from participating staff at the health center and CBOs.

Bronx Health REACH plans to share key findings from this innovative program. If the program is successful, the ultimate goal will be to scale up and implement the Food Insecurity Screening and Referral Program at all Institute for Family Health centers to help mitigate food insecurity amongst our patients and by doing so, improve their health status.

Bronx Health REACH Coalition's #Not62 Rally in the Media

The Bronx Health REACH Coalition's #Not62 rally, held on December 2, received a lot of media attention in December. Our Health Disparities Workgroup members appeared on Bronxnet's Stay Alive with Church Alive and OPEN. Bronxnet also covered the rally and interviewed some of the featured speakers. Finally, the Riverdale Press and the Bronx Times covered the rally as well.

Bronx Health REACH Health Disparities Workgroup Meets with Mayor, Bronx Borough President, City Council Health Committee Chair; Holds Rally at City Hall to Demand that Elected Officials Make the Bronx a Priority

Members of the Bronx Health REACH Health Disparities Workgroup presented Mayor Bill de Blasio with over 2000 signed postcards from Bronx residents urging elected officials to make the health of the Bronx a priority.

 On Monday, November 25th, members of the Bronx Health REACH Coalition’s Health Disparities Workgroup met with Mayor Bill de Blasio to discuss the need for his administration to prioritize the Bronx in light of its persistent last place ranking in health outcomes among New York State’s 62 counties. The Coalition asked the Mayor to ensure that his Administration makes the health of the Bronx a top priority at all levels and in all sectors of New York City’s government, including healthcare, housing, economic development, education, transportation, etc. To demonstrate the broad concern about this problem among Bronx residents, Bronx Health REACH Project Director Charmaine Ruddock and two members of the Health Disparities Workgroup presented the Mayor with over 2,000 signed postcards from Bronx residents.

For the past ten years the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin have released the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps Report that measures health outcomes and contributing factors such as education, employment, income and the environment, all of which contribute to the community’s health and the quality of life of its residents. The 2019 report ranked Bronx County 62 out of the 62 counties in New York State, as it has in each of the previous 9 reports. Presently the health ranking of the other four counties/boroughs of NYC is: NYC/Manhattan (5); Queens (8); Brooklyn/Kings County (17); Staten Island/Richmond County (28). All four had their rankings improve from last year. Not so the Bronx.

At the meeting, the Bronx Health REACH representatives asked the Administration to create a task force to identify and address the factors that continually keep the Bronx ranked as the unhealthiest county; have all New York City agencies make the Bronx a funding priority; and appoint a liaison from the Mayor’s office to work with the #Not62: A Campaign for a Healthy Bronx!

Over 50 people attended a #Not62 Rally on the steps of New York City Hall to demand that New York State elected officials make the health of the Bronx a top priority at all levels and in all sectors of government.

 On Tuesday, December 3rd over 50 people gathered for a #Not62: The Campaign for a Healthy Bronx! rally on the steps of New York City Hall. Community leaders from several Bronx based community groups and Council Member Vanessa L. Gibson joined the rally to ask the Mayor, the Bronx Borough President, City Council members and New York State elected officials make the health of the Bronx a top priority.

“The Bronx Health REACH Coalition and its many partners and collaborators have been working hard to ensure that Bronx residents have all the opportunities they need to be healthier,
but we can only do so much. If the Bronx is to no longer rank dead last in all New York State counties in health outcomes, the health of its residents must become a top priority of the elected leadership of New York City and New York State and the entire Bronx community,” remarked Charmaine Ruddock, Project Director for Bronx Health REACH.

Dr. Neil Calman, President and CEO of the Institute for Family Health, which has led the Bronx Health REACH Coalition since 1999, stated, “It is critical that the state and the city work together to address social determinants of health – housing, education, and employment – in order to make real, sustainable changes in the health of the community.”

“Though progress in the Bronx has been made to address the health disparities that persist, much more work remains to be done,” said Council Member Vanessa L. Gibson (Bronx, District 16). “The Jerome Avenue Public Health Taskforce will be releasing a report examining the social determinants of health along Jerome Avenue. By focusing on housing, economic development, public outdoor spaces, healthcare quality and access, and our local food environment, this report will highlight the many ways we can collaborate on all levels of government as well as through local community partnerships to turn the tide on the overall health of our community, and the Bronx as a whole.”

“Year after year, the Bronx ranks 62 out of 62 in health outcomes – the result of a myriad of factors, including air and water pollution, insufficient access to safe and affordable housing, and a lack of access to quality healthcare,” said State Senator Alessandra Biaggi (D-Bronx/Westchester). “If we want our laws to reflect our promise to keep New Yorkers healthy, we must create comprehensive, health coverage for all and pass the New York Health Act. We must prioritize the Bronx at both the state and city level – by putting the Bronx at the top of the list we can start to reverse the trend, and improve health outcomes for Bronxites.”

In 2014 #Not62: A Campaign for A Healthy Bronx! was launched by the Bronx Borough President, the Bronx District Public Health Office, the Institute for Family Health/Bronx Health REACH, and Montefiore Health Systems, Inc. as a direct response to the ranking.

As a founding member of #Not62: A Campaign for a Healthy Bronx!, the Institute for Family Health/Bronx Health REACH Coalition is proud of its efforts to serve as a model of community empowerment that demonstrates how to build healthier communities. We do this by promoting primary prevention through health education; and advocating for the necessary policy, systems and environmental changes that leads to a transformed community that supports health and wellness.

Left to right: Barbara Estrin from the Bronx Health REACH Health Disparities Workgroup, NYC Council Member and Chair of the Council Committee on Health Mark Levine, and Bronx Health REACH's Charmaine Ruddock.

On December 18th, Charmaine Ruddock and Barbara Estrin from the Bronx Health REACH Health Disparities Workgroup met with Council Member and Chair of the Council Committee on Health, Mark Levine. We spoke with Council Member Levine about the  #Not62: A Campaign for a Healthy Bronx! He offered suggestions on how best to go about securing future City Council funding to support the Campaign.

Bronx Health REACH Video Shown at American Public Health Association's 2019 Global Public Health Film Festival

Bronx Health REACH will be showing our video, "Bronx Health REACH: 20 Years of Making Health Equality a Reality," at the 2019 APHA Annual Meeting and Expo as part of the American Public Health Association's 2019 Global Public Health Film Festival. If you are attending, you can view our video at at 9 a.m. at the Pennsylvania Convention Center-114 Michael Nutter Theater. If  you are not attending the Expo, you can view it here.

How to Leave a Footprint in New York Communities

The 2019 Creating Healthy Schools and Communities Convening, Leaving a Footprint, Spreading Roots: Sustaining CHSC Activities into the Future, was held on September 10. Kelly Moltzen and Moria Byrne-Zaaloff from Bronx Health REACH and Claire Raffel from the Tisch Food Center at Teacher’s College met with CHSC grantees to discuss how all partners could work together to ensure that our school wellness initiatives are sustained across the state by supporting the WELL Campaign.

One of the goals of the WELL Campaign is to develop a New York State model wellness policy that can be shared with local school districts. The grantees also provided suggestions regarding what this state model should include such as: aligning systems of measuring data across federal, state and city health and education departments to achieve one collective impact; converting state data collection to an electronic system; better NY State Education Department (SED) and NYS Department of Health coordination; a state liaison in SED to support district wellness councils; more wellness tools and training for schools; and better systems for effectively monitoring all schools' successes/implementation of policies.

To lend your support for increased funding to the CHSC and WELL campaigns, please sign our petition.

September Coalition Meeting Addresses the Future of School Wellness

Left to right: Kelly Moltzen from Bronx Health REACH; Laura Raaen from Teachers College, Columbia University; Nicholas Buess from the Food Bank For NYC; Arlen Zamula from the NYC Dept of Health & Mental Hygiene – Harlem Neighborhood Health Action Center; Alice Goodman from the NYC Department of Education – Office of School Wellness; Emma Murat of the Office of School Wellness; Karyn Kirschbaum from Western Suffolk BOCES and Moria Byrne-Zaaloff from Bronx Health REACH.


 The Bronx Health REACH  (BHR) Coalition made School Wellness their  priority in September. At our September coalition meeting, which, interestingly fell on the second day of the new school year, the meeting agenda focused on the status of state and federal programs supporting child nutrition and wellness and how to collectively advocate for continued funding and support for all New York State students. Putting the state of NYC wellness in context, Emma Murat of the Office of School Wellness gave an overview of NYC Department of Education’s wellness programming, specifically their multi-year physical and health education pilot programs.

Bronx Health REACH's Kelly Moltzen and Moria Byrne-Zaaloff highlighted BHR’s significant contributions to Bronx County schools over the past four years by providing technical assistance and professional development training to 70 schools and evaluation and resources to 73 schools of our over 90 partner schools to increase nutrition education and physical activity. On a city-wide level, Creating Healthy Schools and Communities funding allowed BHR to work with the NYC Department of Education to update its school wellness policy to meet federal policy standards.

Lining up federal and city wellness policies led the way to passing laws that support school wellness such as free lunch for all 1.1 million City public-school students in the five boroughs through the Lunch4learning  campaign. It also resulted in the PEWorks program providing funding for professional development training and the hiring of more PE teachers for NYC public schools through the PhysEd4All Campaign – two initiatives that Bronx Health REACH actively supported.

A panel of experts shared how wellness programming has made school environments healthier in NYC and across the state. The panel included: New York State Assemblyman Michael Benedetto; Nicholas Buess from the Food Bank For NYC; Alice Goodman from the NYC Department of Education – Office of School Wellness; Karyn Kirschbaum from Western Suffolk BOCES; Laura Raaen from Teachers College, Columbia University; and Arlen Zamula from the NYC Dept of Health & Mental Hygiene – Harlem Neighborhood Health Action Center.

New York State Assemblyman Michael Benedetto, Chairman of the Education Committee, spoke at Bronx Health REACH's September 6th Coalition meeting.

As Chairman of the Education Committee, Assemblyman Benedetto spoke of his commitment to ensuring that school wellness programming continue at current funding levels in New York State. As a steadfast champion for school wellness, he introduced Assembly Bill A7607. The bill would direct the Commissioner of Education to establish a New York state model wellness policy. This model policy would provide NYC and other school districts in the state with the state oversight and support necessary to effectively implement their district policies, hold districts accountable for tracking school building-level results and provide measurable data across the state. The Assemblyman recommitted to helping BHR ensure school wellness continues in the Bronx and across the state and agreed to meet with BHR and the WELL campaign committee to continue this conversation.

We encourage you to sign the petition to obtain state funding for a new version of the Creating Healthy Schools and Communities program (2020-2025)  directed by the NYS Department of Health.

Assembly Bill 7607 and other New York State bills can only achieve so much without the federal law it is built on, namely the Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act, which covers feeding programs for youth such as free breakfast and lunch in schools, afterschool snacks, summer meals, WIC and food pantries. The Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act is the glue that makes many of the nutrition education and feeding programs that NYS and NYC offers, possible.

During the panel discussion, Nick Buess discussed the importance of passing a strong Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act to ensure all schools can serve healthy, locally grown food that is made from scratch and provide comprehensive nutrition education courses. Coalition members were also asked to sign the online petition in support of the NYC Alliance for Child Nutrition Reauthorization (NYC4CNR) in order to improve and strengthen federal child nutrition and school meal programs.

CMSP 327 Students Illustrate How to Win Against Competitive Foods

Fifteen students from Comprehensive Model School Project-M.S. 327 participated in a five week course with Center for Urban Pedagogy (CUP) this summer sponsored by Bronx Health REACH. Susanna Arellano, a teaching artist at CUP, led students through an exploration of the power structures and systems within the NYC Department of Education and an individual school building that impact nutrition and wellness in NYC schools. The students illustrated the main themes of each lesson using art techniques such as print making, photography and infographics. Their art was used to create an educational booklet on how students can make healthy snack choices in schools.

They created a 16 page booklet, Snack Attack, How Can Students Make Healthy Snack Choices in Schools? The information in the booklet was informed by student research. Students took surveys of fellow students and community members to better understand what they consider to be healthy versus unhealthy foods, and which snack options should be available at school. They also photographed paper cut-outs of healthy food pasted onto bodega shelves next to junk food, showing what a healthy bodega would look like.

Students interviewed Stephen O'Brien, Director of the Office of School Food and Nutrition Services, Department of Education and Kelly Moltzen, Program Manager of the Creating Healthy Schools and Communities Program at Bronx Health REACH to gain insight into where the food that is sold in schools comes from, how much does the food change between the farm and the student consumer, and who decides what foods get sold in schools.

“I would make sure that there are no copycat snacks [in schools]," said student Nikosi Whyte. "I would make the food healthier and unprocessed.” 

The booklet will be distributed to community schools in the South Bronx to promote healthy snacking in schools.

Year Two of Service Begins With A Summer Harvest and Cafeteria Improvement Plans

Adrianna gave a presentation at the FoodCorps National Orientation in Portland, Oregon. 

This post is written by Adriana Perez, our FoodCorps member who partners with the Sheridan Academy for Young Leaders (PS457)/the Family School (PS443). Adriana is dedicating a second year of service to engaging students and teachers in creating a school wide culture of health through experiential learning in their school garden, cafeteria and classroom. 


I recently returned from FoodCorp’s National Orientation in Portland, Oregon, where I was able to take a deep dive into planning for my second year of service at the Sheridan Academy for Young Leaders (PS457)/The Family School (PS443) in the Bronx.

During the week-long orientation, I brainstormed with FoodCorps staff and Service Members from across the country, led a session on how to overcome challenging work relationships, renewed my energy and ambitions for the coming school year through project management workshops, and formed a new appreciation for all the work that I accomplished last year.

 This year, I will not only be working at the two schools, but I will be returning to school myself. I will be entering a Master’s program at New York University in Food Studies with a concentration in Food Policy and Advocacy. My courses will help me expand my knowledge on food system issues, increase my understanding of how food and cultures intersect and how to effectively advocate for food system change. My FoodCorps experience at PS457 and PS443 last year has deepened and solidified my belief that not only should healthy, sustainable food be available to every community, but that every community should have the opportunity to learn more about where food comes from, how to prepare it, and how to have a balanced relationship with food. Through my studies at NYU, I will have the knowledge to educate my school community in local food systems and policy, and train them to be school wellness champions.


This year, I have decided to focus on three areas of technical assistance:  garden program development, cafeteria renovation and professional development for teachers. Last year, I worked with the Wellness Council, students and teachers at PS457 and PS443 to rebuild the schools’ garden spaces. I learned how to navigate scheduling conflicts for garden classes and garden management support from students, staff and parents. This year, teachers will be able to schedule their classes on a regular basis to visit the gardens. Garden clubs can help plant, maintain and harvest gardens on their own school properties as well as the community garden, a garden managed by both schools. Once the vegetables and herbs are ready to harvest, parents will be able to pick up or harvest vegetables during dismissal.

Since summer harvesting was so successful at PS443/PS457, Adriana invited parents to pick up seasonal produce at dismissal during the first week of school. What a healthy way to start the new school year!


As my primary responsibility is to work at PS 457, the teachers will not only receive teaching assistance during classes in the garden, but I will also provide support in creating lessons and strategies so that food education can be incorporated into common core standards for every grade. My objective is to equip teachers with tools that will encourage healthy eating for their students while introducing new subject-specific concepts and reinforcing previous lessons.

Finally, my biggest ambition for the year is to work with the Wellness Councils, which now exist as two separate councils, to undertake cafeteria improvements. These changes can be as simple as streamlining the traffic flow on the lunch line or as complex as providing a public announcement system or purchasing new tables for the cafeteria. The Wellness Councils will help me create excitement and strengthen support and engagement from the administration and cafeteria staff as well as aides and parent volunteers managing students during lunch. My hope is that through these changes, all students will be able to have a more enjoyable cafeteria experience through creating excitement around the school food menu in school and greater efficiency in the cafeteria.

This year will be challenging, but I plan to rise to the occasion and hit the ground running with these goals clearly set out before me. I look forward to working with the teachers, meeting new staff, and collaborating more closely with the principles of PS457 and PS443, Ms. Febus and Ms. Penn.

Bronx Residents Get Boogie’ing at 6th Annual Boogie on the Boulevard

This post was written by Rachel Ingram, Nutrition and Physical Activity Program Manager at Bronx Health REACH.

On Sunday, September 15th from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., the middle lanes of the Grand Concourse from 162nd to 170th Street were closed to cars and open to a world of fun and free music, dance, fitness, art, fresh food samplings and more! Boogie on the Boulevard “Boogie,” a NYC Department of Transportation Weekend Walks program, is a one-of-a-kind community event that reimagines the streets as a public space where the many diverse cultures represented in the Bronx can be active and celebrate.

This year at Boogie, nearly 5,000 Bronx residents enjoyed a one-mile stretch of interactive healthy living activities based on themes such as Arts, #Not 62, Fresh and Healthy Eating, Back to School, Fitness and Wellness, Dance, Active Transportation, Baby Oasis, and Street Games. “Every year we get together as community residents, local community-based organizations, healthcare partners, transportation advocates, and we celebrate who we are as the Bronx,” said Bronx Council Member Vanessa L. Gibson, a long-time supporter of Boogie on the Boulevard. “We recognize health and wellness and achieving a healthier, brighter, and stronger borough.”

Participants engaged in fitness and wellness activities such as Hoola Hoop classes, Zumba dancing, Kickboxing, Hip Hop Fitness, and various obstacle courses. Over seventy Bronx Runners showed up to participate in a 5K timed run along the Grand Concourse. To celebrate, runners received refreshments and sunglasses with the “Boogie” logo on them. Tai Chi, guided meditation, medical massages, and yoga for adults and kids were available to those looking for a mind and body experience.

Local food vendors and organizations prepared fresh and healthy snacks and gave out samples like hummus with pita bread, shredded carrot salad, apples with sunflower butter, lightly sweetened chocolate covered nuts made by Sustainable Snacks and other goodies for participants to taste on the Fresh Food Block. The “Don’t Stress, Eat Fresh” Games Challenge, hosted by the Institute for Family Health’s Bronx Health REACH, provided a fun way to highlight all of the healthy options that are offered at partner Bronx bodegas participating in the Healthy Bodega program. Participants refreshed themselves with fruit infused water- the perfect alternative to sugar-sweetened beverages.

 

On the Arts Block, families took part in the creative process together. Community artists worked with community members to guide them through various arts and crafts projects like button making, card making, live painting, printmaking, and ceramics. At one point during the day, a large audience gathered around some of the local artists as they took part in painting live action pictures of Boogie on the Boulevard. Participants walked away with beautiful sand-art necklaces, drawings, paintings, and handmade cards.

People-powered vehicles was the theme of the Active Transportation Block. Participants learned how to roller skate, skateboard, and enjoyed free bike rides. Many, and took advantage of free bike parking and bike repairs. The big hit of the day were the adaptive bicycles used for mobility, therapy, and recreation. Everyone loved learning about the freedom that these bikes provide for individuals who otherwise would not be able to ride. They liked trying them out too! 

The Boogie Down block featured Bronx-based music and performances, salsa dancing, hip-hop, and music creation workshops for participants to dance and get moving. There was also silent disco for those thatwho wanted to “boogie” in a unique way! A regular at previous Boogie on the Boulevard events- BombaYo- engaged community members in drum circles to raise awareness of Afro Puerto Rican culture and to connect Bomba to the vast traditions of the African Diaspora.

There were no shortage of activities for folks with infants and children! Those with babies visited the Baby Oasis Block for all their parenting needs including breast-feeding tents, parent resources, and for some, mommy and me yoga. The big kids got to enjoy face painting, balloon making, a bouncy house, Euro Bungee jumping, obstacles courses, back to school giveaways, and streets games galore!

For the civic-minded Bronxites, the #Not62 Block showcased efforts to lift up the Bronx from its ranking as the least healthy county in all of New York State. On this block, people were involved in activities for the whole self - social, emotional, psychological, and physical. They also had the opportunity to help improve the health of the Bronx by signing up to join the #Not62 campaign.

 

Undoubtedly, Boogie on the Boulevard was a huge success! As one participant said, “This is a great event to get families and kids out, to get them active in arts, nutrition, the culture of the Bronx and being from the Bronx.” The 2019 Boogie on the Boulevard was made possible by NYC Department of Transportation Weekend Walks program and the Boogie on the Boulevard -Steering Committee comprised of the Institute for Family Health/Bronx Health REACH, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, BronxWorks, Montefiore Medical Center, and Uptown Boogie & Bicycle Advocacy in partnership with a volunteer committee of Bronx residents. Thank you to our sponsors Amida Care, SBH Health System, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx Museum, the Institute for Family Health/Bronx Health REACH, Health First, New Settlement Apartments, and Union Community Health Center.

Bronx Health REACH and Elected Officials

New York State Assemblyman Michael Benedetto, Chairman of the Education Committee, spoke at Bronx Health REACH's September 6th Coalition meeting.

New York State Assemblyman Michael Benedetto, Chairman of the Education Committee, discussed his continuing support of school wellness programming at Bronx Health REACH's September Coalition meeting. He spoke about sponsoring NY State Assembly Bill A7607, which directs the Commissioner of Education to establish a New York State model wellness policy for local educational agencies as well as a school district wellness policy database.

The Assemblyman assured Coalition members that he was committed to helping Bronx Health REACH and our Bronx partner schools ensure that policies supporting school wellness continue. To that end, he agreed to meet with members of the WELL campaign committee to continue this conversation. NY State Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez, a co-sponsor of the bill, was also in attendance and spoke briefly to the meeting attendees.

Left to right: Lauren Phillips from the Food Bank for New York City, Naureen Akhter, Deputy Director to NY Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez, Kelly Moltzen and Moria Byrne-Zaaloff from Bronx Health REACH, and Jerome Nathaniel from City Harvest.

Bronx Health REACH's Kelly Moltzen and Moria Byrne-Zaaloff joined Lauren Phillips from the Food Bank for New York City and Jerome Nathaniel from City Harvest, member organizations of the NYC Alliance for Child Nutrition Reauthorization (NYC4CNR), for a meeting with Naureen Akhter, Deputy District Director to Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez (NY). They are seeking Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez's support for high-quality nutrition education programming, modernizing school kitchen equipment, increasing access to scratch cooking in schools, as well as expanding programs that reduce food insecurity and improve regional farm and food economies.

Don't Stress, Eat Fresh Healthy Bodega Campaign was at Boogie on the Boulevard

Participants exercising with low sodium bean cans purchased from a local partner bodega. 

On Sunday, September 15th, the center lanes of the Grand Concourse, from 162nd Street to 170th Streets were closed to vehicles and open to a world of fun for the 6th Annual Boogie on the Boulevard. The Institute for Family Health/Bronx Health REACH was one of the sponsors of the event that featured music, art, dance, fitness programs and healthy food samples for Bronx residents to enjoy.

Bronx Health REACH showcased the Don't Stress, Eat Fresh Healthy Bodega campaign as part of its Healthy Bodega block. There were delicious healthy food samples from Sustainable Snacks, Cabot Cheese and partner bodega Aqui me Quedo. The Healthy Beverage Zone distributed fruit infused water. Partners in the Fresch Grab & Go! Bodega initiative offered healthy food samples.

One mom pointing to the Rethink Your Drink! display with the large, sugar filled bag beneath the Arizona Iced Tea can, warned her son that if he continues to drink it everyday, he will suffer from diabetes and other health complications as he gets older.

In addition to all the food sampling, there was the Healthy Bodega challenge games led by  Maurelhena Walles and Talik Norman of Equity Design. Participants had fun using cans of low sodium beans as weights to exercise. There was also a relay race to gather as many healthy food items as you would find in a bodega.  To cap off all the activities at the Healthy Bodega Block there was a raffle and four lucky winners each received a Healthy Bodega Bag stocked with all kinds of goodies. Fun was had by all.

11 Faith Based Organizations Participated in Healthy Children, Healthy Families Program

Leaders from 11 faith based organizations attended an orientation for the Healthy Children, Healthy Families program.

On September 9th, Bronx Health REACH held an orientation on the Healthy Children, Healthy Families program for 28 leaders representing 11 faith based organizations. The eight week program for children (ages 8-12) and their parents/caregivers seeks to increase healthy eating and active living and reduce high rates of obesity in the Bronx. The orientation included an overview of the program structure, reviewed key nutrition concepts featured in each of the eight-week sessions and, best practices for teaching the curriculum.

This orientation was the first of a series of trainings on how to run the program led by Bronx Health REACH long-time nutrition consultant, Loyce Godfrey. The 11 faith based organizations currently participating are the final wave of churches in the program as the funding provided by the Office of Minority Health ends in 2020.

Participating faith based organizations include: Iglesia Cristiana De La Comunidad, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Misión Pentecostal Rehoboth/Water of Life Church, Creston Avenue Baptist Church, King of Glory Tabernacle, Temple of the Living God, Seventh Day Adventist Grand Concourse, Fellowship Baptist Church, Williams Institutional CME Church and Pentecostal Church of Washington Heights, and Masjid Rahmah.

Bronx Health REACH Awarded Community Impact Grant from the American Heart Association

Members of the Fresch team offered healthy food samples at Boogie on the Boulevard.

The American Heart Association (AHA) awarded Bronx Health REACH a Community Impact Grant. Funding from this grant will support the Fresch Grab & Go! Initiative that will develop and promote healthy food items at 3-5 Bronx bodegas in partnership with the Bronx Bodega Partners Workgroup, Bascom Catering and City Harvest. Taste tests and surveys will be conducted at bodegas, schools and other community organizations to determine which food items will be sold. Since 2009, the AHA Community Impact Grant has given more than $1 million to 42 recipients.

Loyce Godfrey's Commitment to Health, Nutrition, and Faith Based Organizations in the Bronx

Bronx Health REACH (BHR) faith and nutrition consultant, Loyce Godfrey, has been working with faith-based participants in the Healthy Children, Healthy Families program over the past two years. The Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health funded initiative aims to reduce childhood obesity. Loyce developed the curriculum and trains faith-based leaders to teach the nutrition program. She has a long history working with Bronx Health REACH as a faith-based community leader and creator of the Fine, Fit and Fabulous program, one of our most successful health promotion programs. BHR’s Healthy Children, Healthy Families Program Manager, Emily Oppenheimer spoke with Loyce about her commitment to health, nutrition, and faith based organizations in the Bronx.

How did you get your start in health and nutrition?

I attended Tuskegee University and studied nutrition. It took me a while to graduate from college because I got involved in the civil rights movement. Before graduation, I was hired for a job in New York City. I started my first job as an assistant manager at Chock Full o’ Nuts. I was the first African American woman hired there in a management position. At the time there were no explicit policies addressing sexual harassment in the workplace when I was sexually harassed by some of the male colleagues there. It became uncomfortable for me to work there, so I left the company.

From there, I got my start with community-based jobs. I went into child daycare dietetics. I even owned my own daycare center for a while. Then I got involved with seniors. Mid-Bronx Senior Citizens Council decided they wanted to start a catering service, so I worked with them to get that up and going. 

I worked on opening the first SAGE Center in New York. (SAGE Center is the first full-time LGBT senior center in the country that offers services and programs related to arts and culture, fitness, food and nutrition, and health and wellness). I wrote operating nutrition services procedures, led trainings, secured permits, found a caterer to comply with requirements for meal serving, established record keeping, etc. I have also worked with City Meals on Wheels creating a healthy heart kitchen for seniors and have just completed a project for seniors who may have oral health challenges.

At one point you co-owned a store that featured arts, crafts and clothing imported from Africa.

Yes, I was a partner. It was a very healing, holistic experience. I have always liked to explore and visit faraway places. It may have come from growing up in a small town. I was interested in other parts of the world where black people lived. I liked some of the cultural aspects that were so authentic, like the wood-carved furniture. There were lots of cultural activities in NYC, and through that network I met a woman from West Africa who needed help with her store.

How did you connect with Bronx Health REACH?

Joyce Davis (one of the early leaders of BHR) and I worked together at Mid-Bronx Senior Citizens Council. During one of our conversations, I told her about a new ministry I had started at my church around healthy topics and nutrition. She told me that she was involved in a similar project with churches and BHR. She invited me to attend a BHR meeting. At the meeting church leaders were sharing updates on their work. When I spoke about what I was doing, Charmaine (Charmaine Ruddock, Project Director of BHR) said, “That’s exactly what we are trying to do!”

For me, this was my first time hearing about government funding opportunities for these projects. I knew health was a major concern in the Bronx so I would share my work at these meetings. I began consulting with BHR by providing workshops and assistance. I discovered that people who attended my church meetings would go eat at Popeyes afterwards. That felt so disconnected from the program I was leading with them. I bet that most of the women who attended the meeting had diabetes, heart disease or some other chronic disease. I was very concerned, so I thought, how could I get my point across so that those attending would no longer go to Popeyes afterwards? How could I combine the faith-based piece with the health behavior to change motivations? How could we align these two key principles? This led me to work on Fine, Fit and Fabulous.

What is a heritage food?

All of the heritage foods are real foods. All come from plants, from the ground. None of them were processed. After being brought to this country, many of those foods are still used in their original natural form.

The aim of our Healthy Children, Healthy Families program is to get families to eat more nutritious foods. What kinds of changes have you seen so far?

One of the barriers to eating healthier is the disconnect people have between real foods/heritage foods and processed junk foods. We are looking to show Bronx families that food, in its natural form, has not changed over the years. It is still the best nourishment for them. These real foods were so important for many generations. These foods sustain people and promote health. The goal is to get people to eat more real, healthy foods. For the families that have participated in the Healthy Children, Healthy Families programs, we are seeing more interest in eating vegetables and fruits. I am optimistic about seeing more of these positive changes. The excitement, cooperation, and passion of the churches is inspiring. Helping these churches to keep that energy alive after the program ends is so important and I think we can do it. For example, one of our church partners has a garden and I see that as a way for them to continue this work to grow and eat God’s real foods.

Helping Bronx Seniors Eat Healthier through Healthy Food Demonstrations

This post was written by Olivia Wurgaft, an intern at Bronx Health REACH and student attending Washington University.

As a Global Health major at Washington University, I would like to pursue a career in public health after I graduate. It is one of the reasons I was so happy that, as part of my internship at Bronx Health REACH, I got to work on their Food Service Guidelines initiative with meal serving sites in the Bronx. Specifically, I had the privilege of leading two healthy food demonstrations.

During the month of June, Bronx Health REACH held healthy food demonstrations at the Presbyterian Senior Services Parkside (PSS Parkside) and Presbyterian Senior Services Jackson (PSS Jackson) sites in the Bronx. PSS is a nonprofit agency with nine community centers that strive to strengthen the capacity of older New Yorkers, their families, and communities to thrive. PSS Parkside and Jackson clients receive meals, exercise classes, technology training, group trips, and a multitude of other services. These food demonstrations are part of Bronx Health REACH’s efforts to help sites serve healthier meals to their clients.

Earlier this year, Bronx Health REACH collaborated with Lenox Hill Teaching Kitchen to provide trainings for PSS Jackson and PSS Parkside staff. Lenox Hill Teaching Kitchen designed a daylong food business training to help nonprofit organizations prepare and serve institutional meals that increase fresh, healthy, and local foods to support their clients’ health. The outcome of this training was to gain a better understanding of how to serve meals with more scratch cooking with fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and less sugar, fat, and salt. At the end of the training the goal of the kitchen staff from PSS Jackson and PSS Parkside is to increase their use of fresh, healthy and local food.

 In addition to the training, Bronx Health REACH has been providing PSS Jackson and PSS Parkside with technical support to achieve these goals including food demonstrations. These demonstrations are to introduce healthier food to clients through tastings, give them a say in what appears on their menu, and show them that healthy food can be tasty and inexpensive. Both sites chose “Olga’s Bulgur with Chicken” as the recipe for their demonstration because it includes more vegetables and whole grains and less meat.

Before the demonstration, I went to a supermarket close to the site, to make sure the ingredients were easily available for clients to make the dish themselves. I also made sure to price out the recipe to make sure it was affordable.

At both sites I arrived around lunchtime to prepare for the demonstration. While I was chopping and measuring out the carrots, celery, peas, and garlic, some clients came up to ask what I was doing, which told me they were interested in learning about what they were going to eat. Some were also apprehensive of trying something new, but promised they would keep an open mind. I started each food demonstration with a discussion about the nutritional benefits of each ingredient. I emphasized how the fiber in the bulgur wheat improves digestion, the vitamin A in carrots improves eyesight, and how low sodium soy sauce reduces salt intake, which is particularly beneficial for people with high blood pressure or diabetes.

I sautéed the chicken, added the vegetables and mixed them in with the bulgur wheat, explaining the process as I went along. Before adding it to the pan, I brought the pot of bulgur wheat around to each participant, explaining that it can be used similarly to rice and showing them what it looked like. When the dish was finished, I distributed samples for everyone to try. Participants filled out surveys about the recipe and the demonstration. At PSS Parkside, the responses were overwhelmingly positive. Most of the participants enjoyed the recipe and wanted it on the menu. One client said that the “dish was filling, [and had] nice and crunchy vegetables.” Another loved how it was “economic and easy to make at home.”

 At PSS Jackson, the participants were more wary to try a new dish. However, after watching the demonstration and becoming more comfortable with the ingredients, not only did they try it, but they really liked it. One client explained, “I liked this activity because it allowed me to try new and interesting foods that I could possibly have more of in the future.” This comment reaffirmed for me the benefits of food demonstrations and similar programs that expose participants to healthy and tasty options. Without this demonstration, many clients would never have tried bulgur, and now, after liking it, wanted it in their meals. After these successful food demonstrations, I am both excited and hopeful that PSS Parkside and PSS Jackson can easily add healthy, tasty, and economical recipes to their menus to increase the health and well-being of their clients.

This interactive and fun activity was extremely useful in keeping clients educated and involved in menu planning at their sites. Many told me that they wanted to eat healthier, but did not have access to the right ingredients or the knowledge of how to do it in an inexpensive way. Through the food demonstration, they were able to learn about this recipe that will help them do just that. From this experience, I learned that sometimes all it takes to open people up to new ideas, such as eating healthier meals, is the opportunity for them to try it. My internship enabled me to help Bronx Health REACH provide this opportunity.  I believe both sites will have an easier transition to a healthier menu.

Bronx Health REACH and Elected Officials

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) held a community town hall on City Island. 

On Saturday, June 29th, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez held a community town hall at P.S. 175 on City Island, and Bronx Health REACH's Charmaine Ruddock and Kelly Moltzen joined 200 other people to hear what the Congresswoman is doing to address issues facing Bronx residents. She spoke about some of the ideas she has been championing: the Green New Deal, single payer healthcare and making healthy food more affordable.

Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez pointed out how the Parkchester farmers market is only open a few months out of the year, compared to other farmers markets in the city that operate year-round. She said that local residents should be encouraged to grow their own food. Charmaine had a chance to ask Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez what she is doing to address the fact that the Bronx is ranked 62 out of 62 in all New York State counties in terms of health outcomes and health factors. Charmaine followed up her first question by also asking the Congresswoman, how is she prioritizing the Bronx in light of that standing.

PIX11 was at the town hall and interviewed Charmaine.

Left to right: BronxWorks Marina Smith; Council Member Diana Ayala; Bronx Health REACH's Charmaine Ruddock and BronxWorks Carolina Espinosa.

In June, staff from Bronx Health REACH and BronxWorks met with Council Member Diana Ayala and her Deputy Chief of Staff, Bianca J. Almedina. Council Member Ayala had visited Los Hermanos, one of our partner bodegas participating in the Don't Stress, Eat Fresh campaign. Bronx Health REACH received $2500 in funding from the City Council to continue the campaign. At the meeting Council Member Ayala offered suggestions on how best to go about securing future City Council funding to support the marketing campaign in 2020

Creating Healthy Schools and Communities Funding Supports the Garden at the Institute for Family Health Walton Family Health Center

Joseph Ellis, Kelly Moltzen and Sean Butler were given a tour of the Institute for Family Health's Walton Family Health center rooftop garden, led by Rosanna Medina.

Bronx Health REACH’s Creating Healthy Schools & Communities (CHSC) program provided funding to build a rooftop garden at the Institute for Family Health's Walton Family Health Center, to promote wellness and healthy living for staff and patients. When some Bronx Health REACH staff visited the rooftop garden in July, the garden was filled with strawberries, vegetables and herbs ready to be picked. "Growing fruits, vegetables and herbs on the health center’s rooftop is an excellent way to engage staff and patients in healthy living practices," said Kelly Moltzen, Program Manager for Creating Healthy Schools and Communities at Bronx Health REACH. She noted, "The fresh produce is easily seen and very accessible, which encourages staff to enjoy the garden, use the fruits and herbs to make infused water, and model healthy practices for patients. The infused water is a great alternative to sugary beverages. Another exciting part of this garden is that it’s used by Walton’s teen food justice group, encouraging the younger generation to eat fresh produce and develop lifelong healthy eating habits."

IFH Staff member Rosanna Medina gave a tour of the garden to Bronx Health REACH staff and shared her excitement about the garden. “I have a green thumb so I really enjoy coming out to the garden every day. I am part of the watering committee and it is amazing to see how quickly the garden has grown since it was built in June.”

PSS Jackson Clients Discover Menu Improvements are Delicious

Clients enjoy samples of Olga's Bulgar and chicken.

As part of Bronx Health REACH's Food Service Guidelines Initiative, we are working with partner Presbyterian Senior Services (PSS) at their Parkside and Jackson locations in the Bronx to improve their menus by incorporating more fresh vegetables, reducing meat and serving healthier homemade salad dressings. In March, Lenox Hill Teaching Kitchen provided  training for Presbyterian Senior Services kitchen staff on how to create more healthy, fresh, locally sourced and sustainable foods to improve their seniors’ overall health and well-being.

To date, two tastings have been held at each senior center. Seniors enjoyed samples of “Olga’s Bulgur and Chicken” at one tasting, and were offered Chicken with Butternut Squash Stew at another. At the first tasting, they learned about the benefits of eating more whole grains and were given copies of the recipe to prepare at home. At the second, many enjoyed the stew despite it having less meat and more veggies in it. One client said, "I have high blood pressure so I have to be careful of what I eat. This tastes delicious. I would make this at home." Another client added, "This was so delicious, I had two servings!" In the future, Bronx Health REACH looks forward to working with the PSS sites on improving the healthy meals served daily and engaging new sites with this initiative.

Faith Based Partners Tour Concrete Plant Park

Attendees at the June faith based outreach meeting toured the edible gardens at Concrete Plant Park. 

Faith based partner members were given a tour of Concrete Park at the June faith based outreach initiative. Meeting at Bronx Health REACH partner church, Mt. Zion CME Church, the group walked to the Westchester entrance of Concrete Park, located at Bronx River Avenue and Whitlock Avenue. Nathan Hunter from Bronx River Alliance took the group of 14 on a tour of the edible gardens. As part of our initiative to support active design efforts and increase safe, accessible places for physical activity, we have connected our faith based partners with the work that Bronx River Alliance has been doing to increase awareness of the available park space community residents can access.

Rev. Theresa Oliver, Senior Pastor at Mt. Zion CME Church initially toured both Concrete Plant Park and Starlight Park in May, and joined the June tour. She remarked, "It is remarkable that we have this amazing oasis right in our own backyard here in the Bronx. We sampled berries and mint from the edible garden. When it cools down I will bring our congregation to the park after our Sunday service."  Joseph Ellis, Bronx Health REACH Community Health Worker added, "I remember when it used to be an empty space filled with trash but it's great to see it transform into an amazing park and open space that the community can use and enjoy." We encourage everyone to visit Concrete Plant and Starlight Parks and take part in the many outdoor activities offered by our partner Bronx River Alliance.

Bronx Health REACH's Charmaine Ruddock Selected as CDC's Office of Minority Health Equity Champion

Congratulations to BHR's Project Director Charmaine Ruddock who was selected as the Office of Minority Health and Health Equity Champion. Leandris C. Liburd, Director, Office of Minority Health & Health Equity (OMHHE) commented, "Our Health Equity Champion is one of the pioneers who has contributed significantly to the implementation of REACH and its branding as CDC’s flagship health disparities program.  We are honored to recognize Charmaine Ruddock who leads the Bronx Health REACH program. I can personally attest to her tireless commitment to reducing racial and ethnic health disparities in the Bronx and her sustained efforts to support REACH nationally."

Great job Charmaine. We are proud of your leadership!

REACH June Coalition Meeting Celebrates 20 Years of REACH

Bronx Health REACH presented awards to Sue Kaplan and Joyce Davis for their work with Bronx Health REACH. (Left to right): Maxine Golub, Charmaine Ruddock, Sue Kaplan, Dr. Neil Calman and Joyce Davis.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Center for Disease Control's (CDC) Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) program. And, as one of the grantees funded since the inception of REACH, it also is Bronx Health REACH's (BHR) 20th anniversary as well. At the June 7th Coalition meeting, a panel of some of the founding members looked back at the past 20 years. The panelists included: Dr. Neil S. Calman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Institute for Family Health; Maxine Golub, Senior Vice President of Program Development at the Institute for Family Health; Joyce Davis of Joyce Davis Consultants and Walker Memorial Baptist Church; and Sue Kaplan from NYU School of Medicine, Department of Population Health. The panelists discussed how it all began for BHR in 1999, what was the motivation, the vision, the mission.

"You had to go out into the community and do something, so I thought that applying for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) very first REACH grant was the perfect opportunity for us to build on the work inside our organization and to do something outside the walls of our community health centers about bringing the issue of race to the forefront. We were not thinking about the social determinants at the time, but we felt that we had to address the inequities in the health care system," said Dr. Calman.

Maxine added, "At the time I did not think we had the expertise but we wrote the grant and the CDC gave us a year to plan. We held focus groups and we learned to ask, rather than, to tell the participants, and used their feedback to write a community action plan with input from the community."

"One Pastor at a Bronx church told us that he had young people in his congregation with toes cut off due to health ailments and something had to be done to address these issues," said Joyce. It was an open and engaging panel where all agreed that despite the many accomplishments of BHR, there is still much work to be done to eliminate health disparities.

Prior to the panel discussion, both Joyce Davis and Sue Kaplan were presented with awards. Joyce's award was for her exceptional leadership, vision and commitment to Bronx Health REACH and Sue's award was for her exceptional partnership and commitment. Sue in accepting her award noted, "Bronx Health REACH is not a project, it is a commitment."

The Morrisania WIC Baby Café - Making a Difference for Bronx Breastfeeding Moms and Reflections from My Internship at Bronx Health REACH

Left to right: Judy Fram, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and Afsa Golo, Breastfeeding Peer Counselor at the Baby Café staff with Jin Yao Li (CLC) Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC), author of this post.

World Breastfeeding Week was August 1st to 7th and August is National Breastfeeding Month. For my summer internship between my first and second year of medical school, I worked with Bronx Health REACH on their breastfeeding initiative. As a Certified Lactation Counselor, I chose this internship, because of my passion for improving women’s health and promoting breastfeeding. I believe it is one way to address the high rates of diabetes and obesity in the South Bronx.

Breastfeeding should be part of preventive care because there is compelling research showing that breastfed children have lower rates of chronic illnesses such as diabetes and obesity.¹ From 2014 to 2016, the Bronx had 41.6% WIC infants that were breastfed in their first 6 months compared to overall New York City rate of 47.5%.² According to the World Health Organization, infants should be breastfed exclusively for their first 6 months of life for optimal growth, development, and health.³ Hence, it is crucial that mothers get breastfeeding support in these early critical months of their infant’s life.

One of my tasks was to assist at the NYC Baby Café Bronx located at Morrisania –Gotham Health in the South Bronx every Thursday. My role at the Baby Café was to set up a welcoming and comfortable environment for the mothers. I was also involved in documenting their reasons for the visit.

I learned about the concept of a Baby Café during my Certified Lactation Consultant training but I had never been to one. The Baby Café associated with Morrisania WIC is a free, drop-in service that offers breastfeeding support for pregnant and new parents in the community and welcomes any family members or supporters. I also discovered that the Baby Café provided a comforting environment for the mothers to share their experiences while getting support from experienced staff who are International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC), healthcare professionals who provide clinical management for breastfeeding through education and counseling. The goal is to improve breastfeeding exclusivity as well as help mothers meet their breastfeeding goals. I had the chance to learn about breastfeeding obstacles and possible solutions as the staff shared their experiences as breastfeeding counselors.

Breastfeeding can be a wonderful experience. It may also be challenging for some moms, especially during the early weeks. Some moms have situations which may require the assistance of a lactation professional. A mom may lack confidence about whether her baby is getting enough or may be experiencing pain or discomfort or she may have other issues that may be resolved with the help of an IBCLC at the Baby Café.

Moms come to the Baby Café for a variety of reasons, including concerns about the baby’s weight gain, returning to work or school, and to have a safe space to talk about mothering with other moms.

One of the moms recently came to the Baby Café with concerns about her baby’s weight. Her family members did not have confidence in breastfeeding and encouraged her to supplement her baby with large amounts of formula. After listening to her situation, one of the Lactation Counselors at the Baby Café took the time to measure the baby’s weight accurately. “Your baby’s weight is right on the 50th percentile. It’s perfect. You’re doing a very good job,” said the Lactation Counselor. The mom was relieved. “This is something I will show to my family [to show them] that I am doing the right thing by breastfeeding only,” she said pointing to her baby’s weight on the growth chart. The Lactation Counselor provided guidance on how the mom could maintain her milk supply as she returns to work.

This mother stood by her decision despite the advice of family and friends, which was very courageous of her. She was grateful for the information and assistance provided by the Baby Café staff. But imagine a mother who is hesitant about breastfeeding, and may have family members who are discouraging her from doing it. Where would she go for support? It is very important that mothers get the support they need, whether it be education about breastfeeding or words of encouragement from others. We need to do a better job of making sure mothers in the community know about these free resources.

During my internship, I gained an understanding of the underlying causes of breastfeeding disparities, something I would have never gotten from my classes. My experience working at the Baby Café will guide me when I become a healthcare provider.

The NYC Baby Café Bronx located at 1225 Gerard Avenue (on Gerard between 167th and 168th streets), Bronx NY, offers FREE breastfeeding support every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Siblings and partners are welcome to attend. Light refreshments are served. For more information, contact Afsa Golo or Judy Fram at (718) 960-2792.

1.      American Academy of Pediatrics. Benefits of Breastfeeding.
2.      New York State Department of Health. New York State Community Health Indicator Reports(CHIRS) - Percentage of WIC infants breastfeeding at least 6 months, 2014-2016. 
3.      World Health Organization. (2001). The World Health Organization's infant feeding recommendation.