Eating Healthy seems to be the new trend in New York City. There was the fast food wave, but now there have been many indications that the city is moving in the direction of promoting healthy eating.
There are several reasons for the rise of this healthy movement. The first is that according to healthcentral.com “obesity has risen to epidemic levels in the United States. Almost one third of the population in the U.S. (32%) is considered obese. Another reason could be because due to the current recession that we are facing, it just might be cheaper to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables versus going into a store or restaurant and ordering a meal. Or perhaps the whole concept of going green and organic foods has inspired health consciousness.
During an e-mail interview with Zoe Tobin, Associate Press Secretary, I asked her how New York City trying to promote healthy eating and what sort of changes has been made as a result of city policies. Tobin’s response was a list of changes which have been made including:
“Farmers’ Markets
Bringing Fresh, Nutritious Food to the South Bronx.
The Healthy Bodega initiative works with bodegas in the District Public Health Office areas to increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables, and low-fat milk, in these stores.
The Green Carts (fresh fruit & vegetable vendors) initiative focuses on bringing fruits and vegetables to areas of the city with low consumption.
Health Bucks are $2 coupon incentives to encourage Food Stamp users to use their Food Stamps to buy fresh fruits and vegetables at the farmers’ market.
The City also changed the daycare regulations so that children had access to 1% milk and more water, less juices and sugar-sweetened beverages.
The Health Department’s calorie posting regulation applies to chain restaurants with 15 or more locations nationwide. New Yorkers who buy meals at these chains now have calorie information at point-of-purchase”
On May 16, 2009 Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Governor David A. Paterson and Speaker Christine C. Quinn released a press release which stated that the city will be supporting the opening of new grocery stores and assistance to existing ones to advance ones in communities which are in need of more health food stores in the area. This program is called FRESH which stands for “Food Retail Expansion to Support Health.” Within the press release Governor Paterson said, “There are not enough healthy food options in many urban and rural communities throughout New York State. The lack of affordable, nutritious food is negatively impacting the revitalization of many communities, and the health of New Yorkers.”
Little by little the healthy movement is on its way; these are just the initial steps to change New York City’s “fast food” mentality to “fresh food.”