Bodegas are an important a part of the meals ecosystem all through New York Metropolis. In lots of neighborhoods throughout our metropolis, significantly these in The Bronx, there are considerably extra bodegas than supermarkets. Greater than ninety p.c of New Yorkers store in bodegas no less than as soon as per week, and roughly two-thirds go to a bodega day by day.
Nonetheless, residents’ purchases in bodegas usually tend to be unhealthy choices like soda, sweets, and chips. Moreover, solely 5 p.c of residents report that bodegas are their major supply of vegatables and fruits. As an alternative, residents go to their nearest supermarkets to purchase these more healthy choices.
In a borough that faces excessive charges of weight problems and well being issues comparable to hypertension, coronary heart illness, and diabetes, we should search for extra methods to enhance the standard and healthfulness of the meals choices which might be accessible to our residents, particularly within the bodegas the place they store most often.
For this reason it’s essential to assist efforts just like the Wholesome Bodega/Bodega Fresca Initiative, spearheaded by a partnership between the Bodega and Small Enterprise Group and the Institute for Household Well being/Bronx Well being REACH, Collective Fare and the FRESCH initiative of Shen’naque Sean Butler that assists bodegas with providing a extra sturdy choice of culturally applicable, reasonably priced, wholesome and nutritious choices of their shops. That is very true in neighborhoods which might be thought-about meals deserts, like Mott Haven and Hunts Level. By assembly our residents the place they store each day, we may help them make more healthy selections and enhance their diets, simply by giving them a better choice of interesting merchandise to select from.
Many Bronxites would welcome more healthy choices, however they don’t seem to be all the time accessible for residents to buy. By working with the 1000’s of bodegas throughout our metropolis, we are able to enhance alternatives and make an actual distinction. And this doesn’t come at a price to the bodegas’ backside traces as a result of residents are keen to decide on these more healthy choices.
It’s essential that these wholesome alternatives are chosen in partnership with the neighborhood, listening to instantly from customers about what they’re fascinated about shopping for. Solely a sturdy dialogue, aimed toward reaching these whose well being is on the road, can efficiently enhance well being outcomes throughout our borough. That is central to the Wholesome Bodega/Bodega Fresca focus: Bodega Fresca was created to carry recent, culturally impressed grab-and-go meals into Bronx neighborhood nook shops — with bodega and neighborhood management on the forefront. Rooted in Latin and Caribbean flavors, every product blends custom and vitamin—providing higher selections that replicate the style of the communities we serve. From jerk hen wraps to tamarind granola bites, Bodega Fresca is about entry, taste, and dignity in each chew.
With lots of our residents dealing with reductions to their SNAP and WIC advantages attributable to funds cuts in Washington, it’s extra necessary now than ever that they’ve entry to wholesome choices which might be reasonably priced for his or her household’s funds. If unhealthy choices are cheaper than wholesome ones, then it’s extra seemingly that residents will select these choices, whatever the unfavorable outcomes to their well being.
Our bodegas present a important perform in our metropolis, and New York could be utterly completely different with out these retailers on each block. However with threats to their livelihoods from funds cuts, rising costs, and safety issues, our bodegas are in danger. That’s the reason constructing partnerships is so necessary. By creating sturdy alliances between non-public companies, non-profits, advocates, and authorities businesses, we are able to be certain that bodegas are capable of stay of their communities, earn sufficient to remain open, and supply the wholesome meals choices that our residents need and wish.
I urge all of our residents to hitch us in bringing more healthy choices to our bodegas. We should all do our half to enhance well being outcomes in our borough, and that begins by making more healthy selections about what we eat. With extra nutritious choices in our bodegas, this can be simpler than ever as a result of Wholesome Bodegas make Wholesome Communities.
Vanessa L. Gibson is the Bronx Borough President, and Francisco Marte is President of the Bodega & Small Enterprise Group-BHR.
