Bronx Health REACH Comment on Public Charge Proposal

The Trump Administration has announced an executive action to make changes to the public charge rule. This executive action would make it harder for legal immigrants seeking permanent residency to get it if they have received certain kinds of public assistance including Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/ food stamps, and housing subsidies. Below is the comment sent by the Bronx Health REACH Coalition in response to the Department of Homeland Security’s proposed changes to the public charge rule. 

Department of Homeland Security
20 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20529-2140

Re: DHS Docket No. USCIS-2010-0012, RIN 1615-AA22, Comments in Response to Proposed Rulemaking: Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds

Dear Madam Deshommes:

I am writing on behalf of the Bronx Health REACH Coalition to strongly oppose the Department of Homeland Security’s proposed changes to the public charge rule and ask that it be withdrawn. The Rule would significantly expand the list of programs that determine if an immigrant is a public charge and will almost certainly harm the health of immigrants and their families, regardless of their status, and lead to higher health spending at the expense of U.S. taxpayers.

The Bronx Health REACH Coalition, led by the Institute for Family Health, a network of federally qualified health centers, was formed in 1999 to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in health outcomes in diabetes and heart disease in African American and Latino communities in the Bronx. The coalition has a successful history of action to improve health, prevent chronic diseases, and reduce health disparities in high-need Bronx communities. The Bronx Health REACH Coalition includes over 70 community-based organizations, health care providers, faith-based institutions, housing and social service agencies, and community residents.

In New York City (NYC), deeply entrenched health disparities continue to overburden the Bronx. Relative to NYC, the Bronx experiences higher levels of obesity (more than double the rate in nearby Manhattan), as well as a higher prevalence of obesity-related chronic conditions including hypertension and diabetes.  The 2018 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s County Health Rankings and Roadmaps ranked Bronx County the “least healthy” county of the 62 in New York State for the ninth year in a row. The Bronx is also the hungriest borough with more than one in four Bronx residents experiencing food insecurity.(1)  The Bronx Health REACH coalition believes that the changes to the public charge rule will prevent the most vulnerable individuals in the Bronx from accessing vital health and nutrition services such as Medicaid and SNAP for fear of deportation, or inability to secure permanent residency status.

The proposed Rule would cause immigrants, including the 37 percent of Bronx residents who are immigrants, many of whom  are legally authorized to participate in SNAP and other programs, including Medicaid, Medicare Part D Low Income Subsidy, and housing assistance, to decline assistance or disenroll, jeopardizing their food security, health, well-being, and economic security. (2) As the Administration acknowledges, public benefits “play a significant role” in the lives of recipients (83 Fed. Reg. 51,163). These programs provide critical support to assist individuals and families to work, to attend school, and to maintain and improve their health. When individuals and families access these vital programs the entire community and country benefits and when they do not, food security, health, education, and economic security suffer. Bronx-based immigrants are a large part of the borough’s economic success, making up nearly half of the work force and 60 percent of self-employed entrepreneurs. (3) Making changes to the public charge Rule could threaten the already fragile economy of the Bronx as 31 percent of Bronx residents of all ages live below the federal poverty line, and the six highest-poverty neighborhoods in NYC are all located in the Bronx. (4)

This Rule will not only impact participation in SNAP but also participation in other vital nutrition programs, rolling back progress in addressing hunger and poverty in this country. A recent study found that immigrant families — including those who are lawfully present — are experiencing resounding levels of fear and uncertainty.  While public benefit programs, like WIC, and other child nutrition programs are not included in the proposed public charge Rule, the fear, confusion, and caution surrounding the Rule would have a spill-over impact on these programs, resulting in immigrant families forgoing vital nutrition assistance. The Bronx Health REACH Coalition actively promotes programs such as SNAP and WIC as they are integral to improving the health outcomes of residents of the Bronx including the many immigrants who live in this borough.

For the aforementioned reasons, Bronx Health REACH opposes the changes to the public charge Rule. Instead, we ask that the Department focus its efforts on advancing policies that support the citizenship, health and wellbeing of immigrants so that they can support themselves and their families in the future and become healthy, productive members of society.

Thank you in advance for your time and consideration of this letter.

Sincerely,

Charmaine Ruddock
Project Director


1. Aber, N., Berg, J., & Gibson, A (2018). The Uneaten Big Apple: Hunger’s High Cost in NYC. Retrieved from Hunger Free America Website: https://www.hungerfreeamerica.org/media-research/research

2 & 3. Office of the State Deputy Comptroller for the City of New York (2018). An Economic Snapshot of the Bronx (Report 4-2019). Albany, NY.

4. http://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/data/data-publications/profiles.page#bx


5. Artiga, S. (2017, December 13). “Living as an Immigrant Family in America: How Fear and Toxic Stress are Affecting Daily Life, Well-Being, & Health. Retrieved from https://www.kff.org/.

Image: Food Research and Action Center.

Last Day to Submit a Comment for the Public Charge Proposal is Monday, December 10th

The Trump Administration has announced an executive action to make changes to the public charge rule. This executive action would make it harder for legal immigrants seeking permanent residency to get it if they have received certain kinds of public assistance including Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/ food stamps, and housing subsidies.

Mayor de Blasio's Office estimates that this change would deeply impact the health of 75,000 NYC residents who currently qualify for SNAP. In particular, this would affect the Bronx as it remains the hungriest borough with more than one in four (26%) experiencing food insecurity.

Bronx Health REACH urges you to submit your comments on this proposal by December 10th. Let your voice be heard! If the proposal is passed immigrant individuals and families will not have access to healthy food options through SNAP.

Click here to add your comment urging the Administration to withdraw this executive action.

Click here for more information on this executive action.

Not sure what to write? Click here. 

Deadline for submitting comments is December 10, 2018.

Image: Food Research and Action Center.

Bronx Health REACH Welcomes Our New FoodCorps Member

We welcome Adriana Perez, our new FoodCorps member who began her service in September at PS443 & PS457. Adriana will dedicate a 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. She will also support the healthy snack policy implementation and spearhead PS443's garden renovation.

Adriana’s passion for all things food originated in the kitchen when she helped her mom bake for family events. Adriana graduated from Johnson & Wales University and was a pastry chef at Walt Disney World. She was drawn to the farmers' market circuit, renewing her belief that healthy and sustainable food should be available to all communities. She welcomes opportunities for all to learn about the sources of their food.

Bronx Health REACH and Our Elected Officials

In September members of the Bronx Health REACH Coalition met and spoke with Dr. Herminia Palacio, Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services.

On September 12th several Bronx Health REACH Coalition members met with Dr. Herminia Palacio, Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services to discuss the Coalition’s work and Not62 – The Campaign for a Healthy Bronx. Sandra Jenkins from Church of God of Prophecy, Deacon Dorothy Faison and Pastor Robert Foley, Sr. from Cosmopolitan Church, Flora Goldston from Walker Memorial Baptist Church along with Amril Hamer from Transportation Alternatives, and PS 218’s Tabitha Kellner and Nurse Echols all attended the meeting. The Coalition members highlighted the work they’re doing to improve the health of the South Bronx. They were emphatic in pointing to the importance of the Mayor prioritizing the borough in all the City's agencies and resource allocations.

Dr. Palacio, made note of the fact that she was well acquainted with the Bronx having been raised there and understood the concerns the group spotlighted. A follow-up meeting with Dr. Palacio is planned for later in the year as well as a meeting with the NYC Mayor in 2019.

Bronx Health REACH Health Disparities Workgroup Holds Not62 Rally

More than 60 Bronx Health REACH Coalition members and community residents attended the Not62 Rally on October 29 on the steps of the Bronx Supreme Court.

Chanting "62 Will Not Do! We Can Do Better, We MUST Do Better!" over 60 Bronx Health REACH Coalition members and community residents participated in a  Not62 Rally on October 29. The rally took place on the steps of the Bronx Supreme Court to bring attention to the Bronx being ranked 62 out of New York State’s 62 counties in health over the past 9 years in the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s County Health Ranking Report. Led by Bronx Health REACH's Charmaine Ruddock, the rally called on the Mayor, the Governor and all elected leaders to make the health of the Bronx a priority.

Speakers included: Rev. Theresa Oliver from Mt. Zion CME Church, Maxine Golub from the Institute for Family Health,  NYC Council Member Fernando Cabrera, Pastor Robert Foley, Sr. from Cosmopolitan Church of the Lord Jesus, Amril Hamer from Transportation Alternatives, Felix Rojas from Holy Spirit Church, Brett Scudder from the Suicide Institute, Rev. McKay from Church of God of Prophecy, and Karines Reyes from the New York State Nurses Association/Campaign for New York Health. Postcards were distributed to those attending the rally to collect signatures that  will be delivered to the offices of the Mayor and the Governor in the upcoming weeks.

News12 The Bronx covered the event and you can view it here.

Emma Rodgers Speaks at Citywide High Blood Pressure Coalition Summit

Bronx Health REACH's Emma Rodgers speaking at the 2nd Annual Citywide High Blood Pressure Coalition Summit.

On October 10th, Bronx Health REACH's Emma Rodgers participated in a panel discussion at the 2nd Annual Citywide High Blood Pressure Coalition Summit hosted by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH). Over 100 people attended the event, including representatives from health care organizations, community-based organizations, academic institutions, health insurers, city agencies and pharmacies. She discussed Bronx Health REACH’s food access and nutrition initiatives that address high blood pressure/hypertension and health disparities in the Bronx, including our Healthy Bodega Initiative, Faith-based Outreach Initiative, and the Vegetable and Fruit Prescription program. During the event, DOHMH launched the Inaugural Plan for "Take the Pressure Off, NYC!" whose goal is to reduce the number of New Yorkers with raised blood pressure by 150,000.

Bronx Health REACH Holds Faith Communities & Food Systems Conference

Panelists at the Faith Communities and Food Systems conference: (left to right) Dennis Derryck from Corbin Hill Food Project, Rev. Darriel Harris from the Black Church Food Security Network, Karen Washington from Rise & Root Farm, Nancy Ortiz-Surun and Demetrio Surun from La Finca del Sur.

On September 18th, Bronx Health REACH held a “Faith Communities and Food Systems” conference at Church of God of Prophecy. Fifty faith and community leaders and advocates gathered to discuss the role of faith communities in ensuring a healthier and more equitable food system for the Bronx. Participants included clergy, lay leaders, public health professionals, urban farmers, community gardeners, academic researchers, and other community members. Karen Washington from Rise & Root Farm and Rev. Darriel Harris from the Black Church Food Security Network and Baltimore Food & Faith Project were the main speakers. The conference highlighted the importance of urban agriculture and local farms (especially those run by farmers of color) for improving the health and self-sufficiency of Bronxites, and the role faith communities can play in helping create healthy food systems.

Conference attendees also discussed how elected officials and other policymakers need to recognize and remove the barriers that limit opportunities for growing, purchasing and selling fresh, healthy food in the Bronx. The importance of honoring the labor of farmers, gardeners, and other food related workers was a point that was stressed especially by Karen Washington. Attendees had an opportunity to watch a food demonstration by Tania Lopez, and brainstorm next steps that the health ministries of faith organizations could take regarding faith-based health education, improving access to locally grown food, and advocacy on food related policies.

Don't Stress, Eat Fresh Healthy Bodega Marketing Campaign Active in the Bronx

The next time you are walking in the Bronx, riding on an MTA bus in the Bronx, or driving behind one of those buses be sure to check out our Don't Stress, Eat Fresh Healthy Bodega marketing campaign promoting our fifteen partner bodegas and the healthy food they are selling. Ads in English and Spanish are on the inside and on the taillights of Bronx MTA buses. They are also on four bus shelters, two urban panels (signs aboveground at subway stations) and on LinkNYC kiosks. We are also using Geofencing as part of the marketing campaign.

How geofencing works:  If someone is walking within the range of one of our fifteen partner bodegas that has been set up for geofencing, he or she will receive an ad on their smartphone promoting the Healthy Bodega campaign. The ad appears on whatever app the person may be using at the time, or even appear later. With geofencing, the person does not necessarily have to be using their smartphone at the time when passing by the location set for geofencing. When the person clicks on the ad they are taken to a full listing of all the partner bodegas in the Healthy Bodega program listed by zip code so that they can choose a specific bodega to shop for healthy food.

If you see one of our advertisements, take a photo and post on social media with the hashtag #FreshBronxBodegas. The Don't Stress, Eat Fresh campaign runs through December.

The Institute for Family Health Awarded 5 Year CDC Grant for Bronx Health REACH

Bronx Health REACH meeting with our Coalition partners in June to determine which healthy initiatives to pursue for the upcoming grant.

Great news! The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has awarded the Institute for Family Health a new REACH grant for nearly $4,000,000 to be used over a five-year period. With this new funding, Bronx Health REACH will expand its activities to the entire borough of the Bronx instead of being primarily in the South Bronx. This new funding will allow us to build on our work of implementing community tailored interventions related to nutrition, physical activity and community-clinical linkages.

The focus of Bronx Health REACH in the new grant will be: increasing access to healthier foods and beverages; promoting breastfeeding by increasing the number of locations that are breastfeeding-friendly; supporting active design efforts to increase safe, accessible places for physical activity; and improving community-clinical linkages through the use of locally available health and health promotion programs.

Thirteen Bronx Teachers Bring Healthy Eating to Third Grade

Can students discover healthy eating while learning about ancient Egypt or crafting a witty opinion piece? Bronx Health REACH proves that teachers can absolutely integrate nutrition education into core curriculum by using one simple tool — DESIGN for Teachers. Last fall, four third grade lead teachers received a train the trainer session in December 2017 in the DESIGN for Teachers model with the intention of training and implementing four nutrition education lessons into core curriculum across all third grade classrooms.

DESIGN for Teachers is a model, developed by Marissa Burgermaster, PhD, MAEd, Pamela Koch, EdD, RD, and Isobel Contento, PhD. This model shows teachers how to integrate nutrition and food literacy into lessons that will engage students in the classroom and fuel children's motivation to eat healthier and live a more active lifestyle.

Through calling for a grade-wide commitment to implement four lessons integrating nutrition education and core curriculum, teachers in all four participating schools found their students looking forward to learning and genuinely disappointed if they missed a class. Teachers said the experience is something that they would definitely replicate next year because it wasn’t difficult to implement.

“There wasn’t much changed from the original curriculum, we were just using different resources and activities to implement the lesson,” said Alvin Lisojo, a third grade teacher at PS69 Journey Prep.

More than 80 percent of teachers completed all four lessons with the guidance and support of their grade lead teacher. The keys to grade leaders’ success was 1) a commitment from all third grade teachers to be active participants in the project, 2) implementing an effective professional development training on DESIGN for Teachers model targeted to their fellow teachers and creating four lessons that all four or five third grade teachers could easily implement, and 3) following up with each teacher to ensure all four lessons were implemented.

What surprised and inspired the teachers was how much excitement the lessons ignited in their students. Suddenly, students were talking about healthy eating among themselves. After Ms. Dina Zapatta, a third grade teacher at PS114 began teaching the nutrition education lessons, students would enter class boasting that they brought a healthy snack today or that they didn’t bring any red or blue flavored sodas or sports drinks, what Dina refers to as “red or blue death juice.” Allison Palmer, a third grade teacher at PS6, reported that having her students take a pledge as a class drive the students to bring healthier snacks and bring water bottles to class and encourage their classmates to do likewise. Dina noticed an increase in students drinking more milk and eating more yogurt after her class took a healthy eating pledge.

In each school, all the third grade teachers worked as a team to choose which core curriculum lessons would be integrated into nutrition education lessons – each school truly making the project their own. At PS69, Alvin integrated a discussion about how to make healthier choices into a lesson about Egypt. The class ate Egyptian food and discussed how they could eat the food they love and be healthy by using portion control and making healthier versions of traditional recipes. Parents praised Alvin for offering these new lessons. They reported that their children were requesting to make healthier versions of their family’s favorite dishes at home as well as inspiring them to give them healthier snacks.

“The kids were having great discussions about food and what their families ate at home,” said Alvin. “Many of the students became very animated and excited about this topic, especially those who are English as Second Language students. This topic really brought them out of their shells.”

Dina’s third grade teachers chose to focus on the MyPlate model. She asked her students to illustrate what they ate the night before. Then, she posted the pictures around the room and encouraged the students to walk around the room and compare their meals and those of their fellow students to the MyPlate model. The most eye opening part of the exercise was seeing the challenges families face in accessing healthy, affordable food.

The teachers’ biggest challenge was finding grade-appropriate reading passages to teach nutrition education. In response, Bronx Health REACH is working with Teacher’s College to provide a solution for teachers. Despite these challenges, all four groups will continue to use the four nutrition education lessons with next year’s third grade class.


A big thank you to the third grade teachers who took the lead on this project in their schools: Jennifer Large (PS1X The Courtlandt School), Alvin Lisojo (PS69 The Journey Prep School), Allison Palmer (PS6 West Farm School), and Dina Zapatta (PS114 Luis Lorrens Torres School).

Mt. Hope Staff Makes the Mt. Hope Health Center a Healthy Beverage Zone

When you enter the Institute for Family Health's Mt. Hope Family Practice you can now quench your thirst with a cup of delicious, fruit infused water as the Mt. Hope Family Practice is part of the Bronx Healthy Beverage Zone. The fruit infused water came about after the staff expressed an interest in changing their eating habits.

"We invited Bronx Health REACH staff member Kelly Moltzen and Cornell University Cooperative Extension-NYC to the Health Center to show us how we could manage our sugar intake," says Tanya Baker, staff administrator at Mt. Hope. "During this meeting they provided examples of various sugary beverages and under each container they placed a plastic pouch showing exactly how much sugar each one contained. We were shocked by the unhealthy amounts of sugar in each beverage. During this education session they taught us how to read the nutrition labels. With this newly acquired knowledge we decided to sign the pledge to stay away from sugary drinks."

Kelly, who also co-chairs the Bronx Healthy Beverage Zone initiative, provided Mt. Hope with a fruit-infusion water dispenser as part of the Creating Healthy Schools & Communities program's worksite wellness initiative. Mt. Hope introduced the fruit infused water to staff members and patients with the goal to decrease their sugar intake.

"The dispenser is put out every day in the patient waiting area for everyone to enjoy," adds Tanya. "Myself and the Medical Director are committed to drinking at least 64 ounces of water every day, and other staff members and patients have increased their consumption as well. We have patients and Mt. Hope staff filling their water bottles when they arrive and as they leave. The pineapple flavored fruit infused water seems to be the most popular as patients and staff always request it."

Staff share their enthusiasm about the fruit infused water:

“The infused water is so refreshing and in such a perfect location, patients and staff love it” - Krystina Baez, MOA

“Nothing better than walking in to the Mt. Hope Health Center on a hot summer day and seeing ice cold, refreshing fruit infused water. The staff and patients love it.” -Christina Burgos, MOA

“The infused water is amazing, especially the pineapple. It’s refreshing and quenches our thirst.” - Montrecia Frazier, MOA

“Ms. Baker, let’s keep this water going. The patients love it when they walk in thirsty from the outside.” - Karen Gil, MOA

“I am really enjoying the refreshing water they provide. I love it so much that it has encouraged me to do it at home as well.” - Affya Thompson, LPN

“Having the infused water here at Mt. Hope exposes patients to a great way of living.” - Dr. Amarilys Cortijo, Medical Director.

“It is exciting to see staff taking control of their health...Mount Hope is serving as a great example for what other worksites and health clinics can accomplish.”  - Kelly Moltzen, MPH, RD

Tanya Baker and Kelly Moltzen contributed to this article.

Second Tabernacle Church and Mt. Zion CME Come Together to Cook and Reclaim Health

Two Bronx Health REACH partner churches, Second Tabernacle Church and Mt. Zion CME are the second and third churches to complete the 6-session workshop series, ‘A Taste of African Heritage,’ from Oldways, a nonprofit food and nutrition education organization.  A Taste of African Heritage introduces participants to a delicious, plant-based diet high in flavor and low in cholesterol, saturated fat, sugar, and sodium. 14 participants cooked the recipes and learned about healthy ways of eating plant based foods.

Nellie Bryant from Second Tabernacle Church and Bronx Health REACH's Joseph Ellis were instrumental in getting both churches involved. 14 participants cooked together, enjoyed fellowship and learned to bring back the healthy "Old Ways" of eating.

"I had a great time teaching the Oldways African Heritage & Health Program," said Ivette Brown from Bodies By Brownie, who led the workshop. "The church members enjoyed being introduced to new alternative food options like millet, quinoa, and various spices. Fellowship was the most important component, and by cooking together we not only learned new ways to prepare healthy meals, but were able to connect with one another."

Ivette Brown, who led the 6-session workshop, contributed to this article.

Healthy Bodega Owners Committed to Improving the Health of their Community

This post was written by Juan Mendoza and Naomi Heisler.

Naomi Heisler was an intern with Bronx Health REACH Creating Health Schools and Communities program who worked on the Don’t Stress, Eat Fresh Healthy marketing campaign. 

Naomi is a candidate for a Master’s in Public Health with a focus on Public Health Nutrition at NYU College of Global Public Health.

Juan Mendoza was an intern with the Bronx Health REACH Creating Healthy Schools and Communities program who worked on the Don’t Stress, Eat Fresh marketing campaign as part of the Cooperative Education Program at Hostos College. Juan is studying for his Associate’s in Community Health and is expected to graduate this fall. 

As part of our internship program at Bronx Health REACH, Naomi Heisler and I were assigned the task of liaison to the bodega owners involved in the Don’t Stress, Eat Fresh marketing campaign. I had this feeling that convincing bodega owners to sell healthy items was going to be a challenge. Scheduling a time to speak with the 5 bodega owners was difficult enough, but also getting them to partner with a school to promote the Don’t Stress, Eat Fresh Healthy Bodega Campaign I thought would be impossible! Fortunately, it wasn’t as hard as I had thought.

At first we encountered resistance from some of the bodega owners. “My store has been here more than 20 years, and when students from the nearby school come in to order breakfast, they only choose a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich. In the afternoon, students are not purchasing fruits or salads,” said one owner. Once we explained how the partner school and Bronx Health REACH was going to drive more customers to the store to buy healthy items, the owner was willing to hear what I had to say. The plan was simple: the students would conduct a campaign to promote the sale of a healthy item that the owner selected. We pointed out that he could start by stocking a modest amount of healthy items in the first few days to see if the promotional event was working.

Then, he could restock the healthy items the following week, based on customers’ response. The goal was to run the promotional event for one month. If successful, he could continue to sell the items.  Despite his initial negative mindset, I convinced this owner and the four others that by participating in the  'Don’t Stress, Eat Fresh' Healthy Bodega campaign, would significantly benefit their stores and local communities.

We surveyed the stores to determine areas for improvement in promoting healthy food and beverages. Then we provided the five bodega owners and staff with free training and resources. During the Don’t Stress, Eat Fresh training, Naomi and I gave the owners tips on how to promote and market healthier options using standard food marketing techniques. These included: placing a cooler stocked with cold water or fruit salad next to the register to encourage people to make a healthy impulse purchase on the go; placing healthy items on the racks towards the front of the store and at children’s eye-level; and giving away free samples of fresh cut fruit or low-sodium deli meat. We explained that this was another way to attract customers to the deli counter and engage them in a conversation about why low-sodium meat and cheese are healthier and tastier options. We also gave the bodega staff a nutrition label reading lesson and advice on how to prepare different recipes, so they could provide healthier options to their customers.

We were impressed to see the positive steps bodega owners took to become a healthier bodega with the help of their partner schools PS36, 443 and 294. M.H. Deli Grocery, (located at 1405 Walton Ave, Bronx, NY, 10452), placed fruit salads, garden salads and water in a beverage case near the entrance. M.H. Deli Grocery is participating in the program for the second year in a row. Eye-catching signs created by PS294 students from last year are still on display. The signs (in English and in Spanish) hang above healthier options such as water, trail mix, and baked chips. The signs, the bodega owner told us, has drawn attention to those healthy products from PS 294 students, parents, and teachers who frequent the bodega. The success of the student project from last year was one of the reasons the owner agreed to do this project again. Another reason was that his son attends PS294.

Saisel Alloltacar, the owner of SABA Deli, located at 1183 Castle Hill Ave, also has a son attending the partner school, PS36. But that wasn’t the only reason why he decided to do this project. Saisel always has healthy food available in his bodega so “whenever the community decides to make that change in their lives, they can purchase it at my store.” It seems the bodega owners were always willing to sell healthy food, they just needed to believe that their customers would buy these foods. Once they had the support of Naomi and I, and the students from the nearby schools who really care about their community, we found the bodega owners were willing to make the changes. The result, a healthier community.

It has been such a beautiful experience for both Naomi and I to see this project come together, how our efforts are paying off, and that the community is benefitting from our work.

How My Summer Youth Employment Program Pushed Me to the Next Level

This post was written by Larome Johnson, a participant in the Institute for Family Health's Summer Youth Employment Program.

As I was about to begin my third year at the Institute for Family Health's Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), it looked to be more of a challenge than the previous two years. Not only would I be working at a new location (2006 Madison Avenue), but this summer my school required that I take a summer class. Juggling work and school, I was not sure I would be able to handle this busy schedule. Being told that I would be working at the 2006 Madison Avenue location for my SYEP this year scared me a little because I knew this location was the corporate office of the Institute for Family Health, and I didn’t know who I would be working for or what I would be doing, so I was hesitant to begin working. The previous two years I worked at the Walton Health Center mainly calling patients to remind them of their appointments as well as helping them make appointments.

Taking the class in the summer and wanting to hang out with my friends afterwards was a real struggle. But I realized since I was now entering my senior year in high school, I would have to be responsible. And, being able to take the class and work in the SYEP program would help me do just that. On my first day at 2006 Madison Avenue I found out that I would be working for Bronx Health REACH. Working here was very different than working at the Walton Health Center. I had to adjust to working in front of a computer all day doing data entry. Also, this is small, but staying awake was another challenge because of how quiet and cold it was.

I was asked to write a list of goals by my supervisor Emily Oppenheimer that I wanted to achieve at the end of my six-week program. I told her that I would like to be better with computers, more comfortable talking to people, and also to understand and learn what were the professional expectations that I needed to accomplish. To help me improve my computers skills they had me do data entry using Excel and communicate via email using Microsoft Outlook. I also used Microsoft Word to design a flyer and I created a PowerPoint presentation. To make me more comfortable talking to people, I attended meetings with churches participating in the Healthy Children, Healthy Families program.

But I was not the only SYEP here at Bronx Health REACH. There were two others as well, Jay Son and Lionel. After attending the first staff meeting we learned that Bronx Health REACH, to promote their Healthy Bodega program, was creating a social media marketing campaign aimed at Bronx youth. The goal was to encourage them to purchase healthy food at Bronx bodegas. I, along with Jay Son and Lionel, were asked if we could meet with Mike and Emma from the REACH staff to advise them on how to best promote the campaign. They asked us if we were on social media, and if we were to promote the healthy bodegas, what would we do if we created a video. Some of the questions we were asked about social media I thought everyone knew, and that they did what we do as young people on social media everyday. I was wrong. Mike felt we had some good ideas so he asked if we would present them to the staff at an upcoming meeting. I offered to do a PowerPoint presentation. I don't know why I volunteered because it was a lot more work than I expected, and I was nervous since I had never spoken in front of a group before.

To enlighten the Bronx Health REACH team, me, Jay Son and Lionel met a few times to figure out what Bronx Health REACH could do to create a social media campaign for their bodegas. After they showed us the signage and images created for the campaign we thought up various video ideas they could do. Some included: A person juggling apples or singing a jingle in the bodegas; a contest similar to the Ice Bucket challenge such as a viral dance in the bodegas; a teenager buying something healthy from a bodega and saying, “If I can do it, so can you!” The videos could be posted on Instagram and Snapchat. Honestly, I thought that everyone had Snapchat but apparently it’s just a teenager thing because Bronx Health REACH does not have a Snapchat. If they did, they would be reaching a lot more Bronx youth. We explained how Snapchat allowed you to post short videos and pictures of basically anything you wanted. Also, in the presentation we gave examples of some snaps people can make to get Bronx Health REACH trending. Although creating the PowerPoint was tedious at times, it enabled me to step out of my comfort zone by presenting ideas to a group, something I never thought I would be doing.

I felt my SYEP at Bronx Health REACH helped me in many ways prepare for college and a job in the future. I enjoyed getting to know my supervisors and people in the office. Everyone was very welcoming and eager to pick my brain for their social media campaign. Just being in this office environment showed me what type of office community I would want to be in. This experience was very helpful and I honestly did enjoy it. Bronx Health REACH asked me, Jay Son and Lionel to work the week after our SYEP ends to help them with the social media marketing for the Healthy Bodega Program.

I don’t think that I could have this as my career because there are many other things I would like to pursue but I feel this is a great organization to give me a kick start in life.

Bronx Health REACH in the News

Bronx Health REACH appeared with NY Assemblymember Dinowitz (right) and State Senator Klein (center) asking to renew the school zone speed camera program.


Unionport School-PS36 students and Saba Quality Plus Deli unveiled their Don't Stress, Eat Fresh healthy bodega marketing campaign on June 12th. Students offered free fruit salad samples to Saba Quality Plus Deli customers and promoted Saba by featuring the fruit salad during morning announcements, classroom and cafeteria presentations and by distributing fliers. The Bronx Times covered the event.

P.S. 333, the winner of the Bronx Salad Cover Competition participated in a school-wide celebration and awards ceremony on June 25th hosted by Bronx Health REACH. Bronx Health REACH partner Henry Obispo from the United Business Cooperative spoke to the students about the importance of healthy eating, and a hot sauce tasting contest was held. Their photo will appear on the cover of the ‘Bronx Salad Toolkit for Schools,’ an adapted recipe and planning guide for schools desiring to grow, harvest and eat a version of The Bronx Salad using their school garden’s produce. The Bronx Times covered the event.

On Thursday, July 12th, Bronx Health REACH joined partner Transportation Alternatives as well as Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz and State Senator Jeffrey D. Klein asking for New York state legislators to renew the school zone speed camera program due to expire in July. Bronx Health REACH Director Charmaine Ruddock provided a quote and the event received extensive coverage by News12 The Bronx, WNBC, and WCBS among others.

Emma Rodgers Recognized as One of NYC Food Policy Center's 40 Under 40

At a June 7th event, Bronx Health REACH's Emma Rodgers was recognized by Hunter College's New York City Food Policy Center as one of the 2018 class of 40 individuals under 40 years old who are working to transform the food system. The Center’s honorees include policymakers, educators, community advocates, farmers and innovators who are making significant strides to create healthier, more sustainable food environments and to use food to promote community and economic development. Emma is the Senior Program Manager at Bronx Health REACH. Congratulations Emma! We are honored to have you as part of the Bronx Health REACH team.

The Bronx Salad at Bronx Day in Albany

Bronx Health REACH partner Henry Obispo of United Business Cooperative promoting The Bronx Salad at Bronx Day in Albany.

Bronx Health REACH's Kelly Moltzen and Henry Obispo from United Business Cooperative, a partner in the Healthy Restaurant Initiative attended and promoted The Bronx Salad at Bronx Day in Albany on June 12th. Expo participants had an opportunity to taste The Bronx Salad, which was well received. The event to showcase the products and services of Bronx businesses and organizations was organized by New York State Assemblymember Michael Benedetto. Assemblymembers Victor M. Pichardo, Marcos Crespo, Andrew Hevesi, Senator Jose E. Serrano, and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. spoke at the event.

Bronx Health REACH believes Bronx restaurants would be better equipped to serve The Bronx Salad if partner restaurants were supported as business owners through strategies developed by United Business Cooperative. Bronx Health REACH will continue working with United Business Cooperative and Bronx legislators to try to increase the capacity of Bronx food businesses to source healthy ingredients such as those used to make The Bronx Salad.

Four Churches Successfully Complete Healthy Children, Healthy Families Program

Some Agape Church participants of the Healthy Children, Healthy Families program show their certificates after the final session of the program.

Agape Love Christian Center, Iglesia de Dios, Mt. Zion CME Church, and New Covenant Christian Church have successfully completed their Healthy Children, Healthy Families program. Over 100 youth and parents/caregivers participated in the eight sessions, 90 minute-long nutrition and fitness workshops. Each session was led at each church by two Peer Health Coordinators who covered such topics as: building a healthy plate and healthy meal preparation, eating God's real foods, choosing healthy beverages, determining healthy portion sizes and how to read food labels. Each session included a 1/2 hour of exercise. 

Feedback from participants is very positive. Natalia, a youth participating in the Agape Healthy Children, Healthy Families program says “I didn’t like whole grains before and I learned that you can learn to like whole grains.” Another youth participant Novea added, “It’s a good program because it encourages you to be healthy and exercise regularly.” Nyla, age 8 asserted that the best part of the program was the fitness.

Members of Mt. Zion CME Church participating in a physical fitness activity, part of the Healthy Children, Healthy Families program.

Mt. Zion CME Church was the first church to complete the program in June. "The Healthy Children, Healthy Families program has given us so much more than we anticipated," says Rev. Theresa Oliver, Senior Pastor. "For the adults and youth that participated, I believe the program did more than just teach them about healthy eating and exercise. It really boosted family values and was such a blessing and reward to see families come together and grow during the program. The children really took to the activities especially the physical activity sessions. They would run and jump around and all the children became friends with each other at the end. This program has great potential for all churches since it connects the older and younger participants with a common goal of eating healthier and getting more physical activity."

“It’s a beautiful program because it provides information that can be shared throughout the community, said Emily Oppenheimer, Program Manager. "We’ve been impressed with the way health information has reached beyond those participating in the program. Church members and church leaders have shared the message of healthy food and fitness throughout their community. We’re building a new generation of health leaders with the children and families who participated in the program."

Five churches are set to begin their programs in the fall, and we anticipate having 8 faith based organizations start their Healthy Children, Healthy Families programs in the spring.

Stevenson Farm Share is a Hit with IFH Patients and Community Residents

The Corbin Hill Food Project Summer Farm Share Program, supported by Bronx Health REACH and hosted by the Institute for Family HEALTH (IFH) Stevenson Family Health Center has become a staple among IFH patients and Soundview residents looking to purchase affordable local, farm fresh vegetables and fruits. Every Tuesday from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. the Farm Share is set up either inside (or outside weather permitting) the Stevenson Health Center where customers can purchase a variety of local and seasonal vegetables and fruit for only $10. Customers place their orders by Tuesday and pick them up the following Tuesday.

The program began a year ago with GrowNYC’s Fresh Food Box Program and has since changed hands with Corbin Hill Food Project's Farm Share. In the beginning, around 15 to 25 customers per week signed up to receive farm shares that has since increased to 25 to 35 customers per week! Joseph Ellis, our Community Health Worker along with the Institute for Family Stevenson Health Center's Tiffany Diaz are there every week setting up the Farm Share and greeting customers.

"Customers enjoy coming to the Stevenson Farm Share because it’s so close to where they live," said Joseph. "Customers have told us that the produce sold at the Farm Share is fresher and lasts a lot longer than what their local supermarket sells, and with the summer growing season here, there is more of a variety of vegetables and greens offered. Customers use the recipes we give out, and with our regular customers spreading the word about the Farm Share, more people have signed up."

The Farm Share is scheduled to run through November. Customers can pay with cash, credit card, debit card, EBT, or SNAP. Interested participants can sign up in person or online. For further information call (718) 589-8775 ext. 2832. Sign up now to enjoy fresh, local veggies and fruits!

A Zest for Life and Learning: A FoodCorp Member Reflects on Her Year Cultivating an Environment of Wellness at the Family School

In September, 2017 I was both excited and nervous as I began my year of service as a FoodCorps member at The Family School in the Bronx. The reason for joining FoodCorps was to join the fight against food injustice. Since this was my first-time teaching at a school, I approached it with an open heart.

On the first day of school I was presented with my first challenge – scaffolding covered what used to be the school’s outdoor garden. But I persevered. With funding from Grow To Learn and the School’s Wellness Committee, I created two mobile gardens housed on wheeled carts that provided the 2nd,  4th and 5th grade students  the opportunity to grow and harvest their own herbs, pea shoots, lettuce, arugula and mesclun greens indoors. Using The Bronx Salad Toolkit for Schools, seed starter kits and a few grow lights, the students and I were able to bring an indoor mobile garden to life. The second graders learned about the life cycle of plants such as peas.

The students also learned how to make The Bronx Salad, which contains many of the same ingredients they recognized from their home kitchen tables. One student exclaimed “I love cilantro and mangoes! My mother always has them in the house.” The students really enjoyed seeing their plants growing, and even tasted fresh pea shoots they grew themselves. I loved seeing students that had been squeamish about planting and working in the dirt at the start of the school year blossom into little gardeners. One student, Isabella convinced her mother that they needed to start growing their own food, and now they have a window sill herb garden in their home.

Together with the support of the faculty, staff, Garden to Café and the students, I was able to make great strides in increasing student consumption of healthy foods and expose them to new fruits and vegetables in the cafeteria throughout the school year. First, I worked with Tonya Green, The Family School Dean, to recruit and train eight student ambassadors to serve their classmates fruits and vegetables from the salad bar and collect feedback regarding which foods or flavors students liked or disliked, and what they would like to try next. This empowered the ambassadors to make the salad more enticing by designing and posting signs above the salad bar. By doing this students were encouraged to create rainbow salads. I also made raspberry and other sweet dressings for the students to try each week. Our most popular dressing was a tangy thyme and honey vinaigrette.

The school also held five taste tests in the cafeteria. For the tastings, the Garden to Café staff and I prepared samples of roasted acorn squash with brown sugar, garlic hummus and winter apple slaw for the students to sample during lunch time. Student ambassadors carried trays of the samples around the cafeteria and encouraged fellow students to sample. As more tastings were held students were willing to try the new foods without having to be coaxed by the ambassadors.

After each tasting, students would line up to record their opinions on a dot survey board. They would stand in front and have serious debates about why certain foods were better than others. One student stated, “Everybody loves carrots. Not me. I believe the lettuce was good.” At the end of one of the tastings, my team of ambassadors and I looked around the cafeteria with satisfaction. They were glowing with pride, seeing that their fellow students were enjoying healthier food items rather than sweets. It was a win for our small, but mighty team. One of my students, Rajib, summed it up best, “Everybody’s fed, everybody’s happy.”

In pursuit of more school-wide change in the cafeteria, the Garden to Café team and I organized an alternative menu tasting event for parents of students attending PS443 and PS457. George Edwards, Director of the Garden to Café program/ SchoolFood and Holly Howwit, Garden to Café Coordinator, prepared and served brown, sugar glazed root vegetables and apple slaw. Many of the parents and children asked for seconds and were genuinely surprised that these healthy foods being served could taste so delicious. One parent exclaimed, “This tastes really good and it’s healthy! I would love it if my child and I could eat like this all the time.” When parents and teachers agreed that students should have more opportunities to eat plant-based foods, I made sure students had numerous opportunities to eat healthy, not only in the cafeteria during tastings, but also during my lessons in the classroom.

Inside the classroom, I taught healthy eating lessons to three jubilant second grade classes. I worked closely with classroom teachers to align hands-on activities with their Science, Math and English lessons. Whether the students were studying fractions using different types of seeds or learning about how plants absorb water using celery, water and food coloring, I made sure the students had fun. Often when I entered the classroom, the students would scream my name, run up to me and hug me, or break into applause. My plan clearly worked. The real reward was when my students could recall information from my lessons. They would share, “I ate my vegetables today, Ms. Angela” or “When are you coming to make a salad again?” Students always had many opportunities to eat healthy foods in my classes. Together we made veggie skewers, fruit parfaits and salads.
I also led the Green Team students in a special eight session class, ‘Don’t Stress, Eat Fresh,’ about the barriers to healthy foods in their neighborhood, and the various techniques marketers use to influence their food choices. Students learned about the difference between processed food and whole food, how to read food labels, the various techniques marketers use to influence their food choices.

During a visit to the bodega near their school, students had the chance to test their knowledge and were surprised to see how many unhealthy products had ads on their packaging targeted to kids. They were also surprised to see many unhealthy snacks positioned on the shelves at their eye level to catch their attention as they walked into the bodega. At the start of the eight session class each student signed a pledge to eat less junk food and sugary beverages. By the end of the one month course, there was a slight increase in students buying fruits and vegetables at bodegas near their school.

The Family school really accepted me as part of the school family. The relationships I made with teachers, staff and students and the experiences we had will stay with me forever. I am grateful to have had the chance to serve the children of this Morrisania neighborhood. Looking back to when I was a younger student myself attending PS 41, my school lunch barely had any vegetables or fruits, so improving the eating habits of the Family School students was a goal close to my heart. I’m happy I connected with so many kids and helped them enjoy and eat more fruits and vegetables. Creating a healthier school environment was the ultimate goal, but the moments that I shared with the teachers and students of the Family School was most important to me. Hopefully the students will remember me as “the salad girl,” as I will remember the students having a zest for life and learning.

Angela Doyle was a FoodCorps service member serving with Bronx Health REACH. She was partnered with The Family School in the Bronx, NY to integrate garden and nutrition lessons into classes, promote healthy food options in the cafeteria, and support a school wide culture of health. She is very grateful to have had the opportunity to work with The Family School, where teachers, administration, cafeteria staff, and students appreciate the importance of healthy bodies and healthy minds for learning and growing.

We Have a Responsibility to Make our Streets Safe for All

James James, second from the left, with New York State Assemblyman Victor M. Parchardo and others advocate for the school zone speed safety camera program.

This post was written by James James, coordinator for the Claremont in Motion bike program, a partner of Bronx Health REACH.

As the coordinator of the Claremont in Motion bike program and a longtime advocate for safe streets, the chance to participate in Lobby Day with Transportation Alternatives and Families for Safe Streets, might seem like a routine endeavor that I’ve experienced a number of times over the years. And, while I’ve been to Albany with a number of organizations in the past, to lobby for women’s issues, education issues and safer streets, this lobby day presented me with an unexpected perspective on how we view safe streets in the context of transportation safety and the Mayor’s Vision Zero initiative.

On Wednesday, May 9th I boarded a bus at the Bronx County Courthouse with members of Transportation Alternatives and Families for Safer Streets for our trip to Albany. For anyone who’s been to Albany to advocate for legislation, this wasn’t your typical lobby day. While, the day was filled with your usual legislative staff meetings and photo ops with rushed legislators, the most poignant part of the day for me was hearing the heart wrenching stories of families that had to deal with the death of a child due to the lack of speed safety cameras in school zones. In New York City being struck by a vehicle is the leading cause of injury-related death for children under 14. In addition, vehicles seriously injured or kill a New Yorker, on average, every two hours. That is why this issue is so important.


Throughout the day, as we lobbied legislators on both sides of the issue, it became clear that there were some views that would not be swayed regardless of the discussion around the death of a young child in such an untimely fashion. It’s at this point that we all must find a sense of responsibility for the safety of our streets. The proposed bill would expand the number of school zones operating speed safety cameras from 140 to 290. It’s time to pass this legislation and follow the suggestions of the Mayor's Vision Zero Initiative and New York Police Department police commissioner and support passage of this law. Unfortunately, as the New York State legislative session ended, and the bill did not pass. I, along with the many organizations, advocates and elected officials are disappointed, but we'll be back next year to support safe streets for our children. I hope you'll join us.

WANDA and New York Common Pantry Lead Development Training

Tambra Stevenson (seated in front row) led the morning "Garden Party" session.

On June 7th, PS 69-Journey Prep School hosted a professional development training for teachers and parent coordinators, exploring how school gardens and other nutrition education programming can be incorporated into a core curriculum to build a healthier school environment. The “Garden Party” course, presented by Tambra Stevenson, CEO/Founder of Women Advancing Dietetics, Nutrition and Agriculture (WANDA), a leading initiative to empower people to lead and create healthy communities in Africa and the Diaspora, shared resources and tips for teachers on how to grow healthier eaters in their classrooms. The three-hour interactive training explored how they could teach students about healthy eating through games, reading and healthy celebrations.

Teachers discussed the role of food in tradition, heritage, medicine, and creative expression as well as self-medication and health inequities. They shared methods for addressing unhealthy snacking - the biggest problem in schools - and modeling healthy behaviors. One teacher spoke about how her school holds teacher-led health fairs. Each teacher manages a booth where they share what physical activities they may be doing, for e.g. taking a yoga class or, their healthier eating habits such as bringing a fruit smoothie to school. Teachers also discussed the importance of healthy food policies in their classrooms as well as advocating for school-wide policies. "The best way to address food equity and create healthier food environments is to advocate for changes in food policies (in your school)," said Tambra.

Evelyn Vela, Environmental Program Manager at New York Common Pantry, led a two-part session, 'Building a Culture of Health: Your Garden and Beyond', that provided guidance on how school teachers, staff and aides could encourage healthy eating and increase physical activity in the classroom. In the first session participants learned how to develop a strong wellness council, i.e. a group of school community members who write the school wellness policy and implement it by planning and conducting wellness activities throughout the year. Evelyn pointed out that school gardens serve as an effective way to engage and motivate school wellness councils and school communities, increase fruit and vegetable consumption and teach the council to work as a team.

New York Common Pantry offers classroom-based support in nutrition education through a cooking and gardening curriculum. If you are interested in working with New York Common Pantry and are a District 7 school, contact Evelyn Vela at (917) 720-9711. Please let her know that you learned about this program through our newsletter.

For more information on starting or improving a wellness council, visit the DOE Office of School Wellness website. Interested in starting a garden curriculum? Contact Moria Byrne-Zaaloff, MPH, Program Coordinator for Creating Healthy Schools and Community Programs at Bronx Health REACH at (212) 633-0800 ext. 1287.

PS 333, IS 131 and PS 6 Awarded Bronx Wellness Champions Grants

PS333 was one of three Bronx schools awarded a Bronx Wellness Champion Grant.

Congratulations to PS 333-Longwood Academy of Discovery (in photo above), IS 131-The Albert Einstein School and PS 6-West Farms School on becoming this year’s Bronx Wellness Champions. This year Bronx Health REACH offered mini-grants to help schools make their nutrition and fitness projects possible. Through this grant, PS 333-Longwood Academy of Discovery launched a school-wide healthy snack initiative at their annual field day.  Students enjoyed whole grain granola bars, fruit and fresh water after a soccer game with their newly acquired soccer balls and pop-up soccer goals purchased with funding from the grant.

With their grant, IS 131-the Albert Einstein School built a green wall replete with basil, cilantro, spearmint and mixed greens in their vacant courtyard to increase healthy eating on campus. PS 6-West Farms School plans to use their grant to purchase portable gym equipment that can be used inside or outside the school to increase physical activity by 60 minutes a week. PS 6-West Farms School will receive their equipment this fall. As part of the grant requirements, the three schools completed a WELLSAT pre-assessment, a NYC Department of Education scorecard and created a wellness policy.

Unionport School-PS36 and Saba Deli Unveil Don't Stress, Eat Fresh Campaign

Students from Unionport School-PS36 gave out samples of their Fruit Fix fruit cup.
 
Unionport School-PS36 students and Saba Quality Plus Deli unveiled their Don't Stress, Eat Fresh healthy bodega marketing campaign on Tuesday, June 12. Students offered free fruit salad samples to Saba Quality Plus Deli customers and promoted Saba by featuring the fruit salad during morning announcements, classroom and cafeteria presentations and by distributing fliers. Bronx Health REACH provided Saba Quality Plus Deli with training and technical support on how to better promote the fruit salad.

"The fruit cup has grapes, strawberries and mangos. We are encouraging people to eat healthier this summer by purchasing the fruit cup instead of Takis and to drink water instead of Coke," said Christian, a student involved with the program. Ms. Judith Siegel, a teacher leading the class remarked, "After visiting some of the local bodegas we learned there were not a lot of healthy choices for the students, so we decided to create the Fruit Fix fruit cup and Saba generously agreed to sell it during the summer for $2."

This is part of a borough wide initiative launched by the Institute for Family Health's Bronx Health REACH, the Bodega Association and the Bronx Bodega Workgroup to encourage Bronx residents to purchase healthier foods and beverages at 56 participating bodegas in the Bronx.

Why the Don’t Stress, Eat Fresh School Curriculum Matters

On June 12th PS36-Unionport School and Saba Quality Plus Deli & Grocery unveiled the Don't Stress, Eat Fresh Campaign at Saba Quality Plus Deli & Grocery.

This post was written by Elecia Faauiaso, an intern with the Bronx Health REACH Creating Healthy Schools and Communities program who worked on the Don’t Stress, Eat Fresh Curriculum as her Masters Practicum in Public Health at New York University. Elecia also served as an instructor last fall on a counter-marketing study with CS448-Soundview Academy of Culture and Scholarship. She will be graduating with a dual Master's degree in Public Health and Dietetics this fall.

As the project coordinator and intern for Bronx Health REACH’s Creating Healthy Schools and Communities program working on the Don’t Stress, Eat Fresh curriculum, I was proud to see this campaign launch at PS 294-Walton Avenue School, PS36-Unionport School, and PS443-The Family School in June. The Don’t Stress, Eat Fresh healthy bodega marketing campaign is a borough wide bodega marketing campaign launched last November by the Institute for Family Health's Bronx Health REACH, the Bodega Association and the Bronx Bodega Partners Workgroup to encourage Bronx residents to purchase healthier foods and beverages at 56 participating Bronx bodegas. During the past two weeks students from PS 294-Walton Avenue School, PS36-Unionport School, and PS443-The Family School in partnership with M&H Deli Grocery, Saba Quality Plus Deli & Grocery and La Solucion distributed samples of healthy foods sold in the bodegas and posted signage hightlighting the healthy food.

At the three Bronx schools, I provided on-going technical assistance to the teachers with the support of Moria Byrne-Zaaloff, Program Coordinator for the Creating Healthy Schools and Communities program. I trained the teachers in the 8 week Don’t Stress, Eat Fresh curriculum, which focuses on: healthy eating, processed foods, food marketing and marketing campaign development. Over the 8 week course students learned about the barriers to healthy foods in their neighborhood and the various techniques marketers use to influence their food choices. The most eye-opening activity to me was when students learned how to read nutrition labels.

A PS36-Unionport parent enjoyed the fruit salad samples distributed by students from the school.

Students brought in their favorite snacks from their local bodega and were shocked to learn how unhealthy many snacks were once they understood the high sugar and salt content of each. One student expressed concern about the harmful effects of consuming an entire package of Takis on a daily basis. She said, “When I eat a bag by myself, I'm actually eating for 3 to 4 people. That’s a lot of calories for me!” After she shared this with me I found that through education and by providing young students with the necessary tools and skills to navigate their way through our complex food system gives them the power to be health conscious consumers.

Each school took a survey of their partner bodega to determine what healthy options were available in their neighborhood bodega and to think critically about how product placement, accessibility, convenience and price all affects the food choices they make every day. Angela Boyle, a FoodCorps member with PS443-The Family School, told me that her students felt “important and professional” doing the bodega surveys, and assessing their neighborhood bodegas “gave them power.” I found it inspiring to see the students take action to change their own food environment. I believe where they eat, sleep, learn, play, and shop should support their choices in living a healthy lifestyle.

The bodega owners showed a lot of enthusiasm and were eager to participate in the Don’t Stress, Eat Fresh campaign. Carlos, a bodega worker at La Solucion shared, “I would much rather see students purchasing healthy smoothies and juices. It is important for them to learn healthy eating habits when they are young, so they do not get sick when they are older.” Students and teachers from PS443-The Family School hope to drive more customers seeking smoothies to La Solucion by posting the colorful posters and coordinating healthy food demos.

Why do we need to focus on these matters? We have so much working against us. The battle between the cheap and easy availability of processed foods versus the shortage of healthy foods in local bodegas; the misleading health claims and puzzling nutrition labels; packaged and canned goods that have colorful cartoon characters and celebrities on their labels. A lot of this subconsciously tricks and confuses the minds of the youth, and even adults as well, to make unhealthy choices. So what do we do to combat the manipulation and barriers? Engaging students in countering unhealthy marketing, reading food labels, and asking their local stores to sell healthy foods will certainly go a long way.

If you live near La Solucion (180 McCellan Street), MH Deli Grocery (1405 Walton Avenue) or Saba Quality Plus Deli & Grocery (1183 Castle Hill Avenue), go in and buy the fruit salad or smoothies promoted by the students.

Healthy Children, Healthy Families Program to Start at Six Faith Based Organizations

Agape Love Christian Center, Church of St. Helena, Iglesia de Dios, Mt. Zion CME Church and two New Covenant Christian Church locations are the first six of 24 faith based organizations participating in the Healthy Children, Healthy Families program. This family focused, faith-driven nutrition and fitness program will help to prevent and reduce obesity among children and adolescents in communities in the South Bronx. Twelve children (ages 8-12) and their parents/caregivers at each participating church will attend the eight week, hour and a half-long nutrition and fitness workshops. The program aims to increase the amount of fruits and vegetables participants eat; reduce the eating of simple carbohydrates; and increase time spent physically active.

"I wanted my church to participate in the Healthy Children, Healthy Families program because it brings families together to not only improve children's health but that of adults’ health as well," said Rev. Dr. Theresa Oliver, Pastor at Mt. Zion CME Church in the Bronx. "We have 11 children on board for the program and when the program ends I hope to have a mom tell me the program provided her with knowledge to cook and serve healthier meals for her family."

If your faith based organization is interested in participating in the Healthy Children, Healthy Families or you know of others that may be interested, contact Yolanda Benitez at (212) 633-0800 ext. 1344.