The Rockland County Department of Health works with bodegas, small corner stores, small neighborhood mini-markets, and convenience stores/delis to promote and sell healthier foods and snacks, and listen to their customers' requests for healthier items. Please see our list of participating stores. 

Look for the healthier items at your participating store. Healthier items being sold include: fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, fruit cups, dried fruits, 100% fruit juices, bottled water, whole-grain cereals, whole-wheat breads, whole-wheat crackers, 1% and fat-free milk, low-fat dairy products, olive oil and canola oil.

The key to good eating is moderation, variety, and balance. This means eating lots of different foods each day and not eating or drinking large amounts of any one food or beverage.

Fill your cart with these healthier choices and items below: 

• Canned, frozen or fresh vegetables without sauce.
• Canned, frozen or fresh fruits packed in natural juice.
• Beans, peas, and lentils.
• Bread, cereal, pasta & rice with 3 grams or more of fiber per serving (read the Nutrition Facts label on package).
• Yogurt, part-skim cheese, and 1%, fat free milk, or low-fat  soy milk with 3 grams or less of fat per serving.
• Healthier cooking oils: olive, canola, safflower, and sunflower.

You Are What You Eat!

Food contains vitamins, minerals, and energy that your body needs. If you do not eat well, you won't feel well!  

• A good diet feeds your hair and skin. A clear skin says you are eating lots of vitamins like those in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, chicken, fish, and lean meats.
• A good diet protects your heart and other organs. Lower fat foods, like lower fat dairy products, keep you from having too much fat.
• A diet rich in vegetables and fruits can help protect you from cancer. Eat at least 5 portions of vegetables and/or fruits each day!
• Having healthier choices right in your home can help you make the healthier choice the easier choice.

Information and Resources for Corner Store/Bodegas

Stores receive:

• Technical assistance to implement healthy choices.
• Promotional items and materials such as shelf tags, signage to promote healthier choices, door decals, and more.
• Nutrition calculation to determine calorie and other content of on-site prepared foods.
• Incentive items.

Suggestions:

• Place water and other low-calorie beverages at eye-level.
• Offer fruits and vegetables at the front of the store/near the checkout.
• Offer and promote a healthier sandwich or meal combination (if your store has a deli).
• Display marketing materials for healthier foods.
• Stock healthier products such as whole grain products, fruits and vegetables, low-fat and/or fat free milk, low sodium or no sugar added canned goods, and healthier snack items.

• Choose My Plate - Variety of nutrition topics listing ten tips in each area called
   the "Ten Tips Nutrition Education Series" available in English and Spanish.
• Healthy Food Access Portal - The Portal harnesses a vast array of data and information to support the successful planning and implementation of policies, programs, and projects to improve access to healthy foods.
• Shop Healthy NYC - Lists several initiatives that New York City has implemented to educate and encourage people to make healthier food choices.
• Final Evaluation Report Summer 2012 - Summer 2015  - Creating Healthy Places to Live, Work and Play Healthy Corner Store/Bodega Project.
• Corner Store Success Story - Rockland County Department of Health (RCDOH) Healthy Corner Store Initiative.
• Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Initiative in Rockland County - Americans consume 200 to 300 more calories each day than we did 30 years ago.  Nearly half of these extra calories come from sugar-sweetened beverages.