SHOP HEALTHY ROCKLAND!

And get a free, reusable grocery bag

NEW CITY, NY - - Rockland County Executive Ed Day and County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert encourage both residents and owners of bodegas, small corner stores, neighborhood mini-markets, and convenience stores/delis, to participate year-round in the Shop Healthy Rockland! campaign.

"As part of the campaign, the Health Department is working with store owners to promote and sell healthier foods and snacks by placing healthier products in more visible areas, highlighting healthier items with signage and advertising from the Health Department, and responding to their customers' requests for healthier items," said Dr. Ruppert.

Many stores in Haverstraw, Nanuet, New City, Nyack, Spring Valley, and Suffern have signed on to make buying healthier choices easier for their customers. Residents are encouraged to shop at one or more of these participating Shop Healthy Rockland! stores:

• YAS Quick Mart, located at 191 Route 59, Suite 1, in Airmont
• J & J Grocery, located at 64 Broadway in Haverstraw
• Italian Food Center, located at 35 Route 9W in West Haverstraw
• Corner News, located at 189 Middletown Road in Nanuet
• Hilltop Deli & Pizza, located at 368 New Hempstead Road, Unit 1, in New City
• West Clarkstown Mini Mart, located at 185 West Clarkstown Road in New City
• Island Market, located at 92 South Franklin Street in Nyack
• Murray's Deli, located at 80 Broadway in Nyack
• Pak Khan Halal Mart, located at 130 East Route 59 in Spring Valley
• U Babci Jadzi, located at 391 West Route 59 Spring Valley
• US Convenience Mart, located at 12 South Main Street in Spring Valley
• La Placita Deli, located at 27 Lafayette Avenue in Suffern
• M & M Superstore, located at 104 Lafayette Avenue in Suffern
• Suffern Food Mart, located at 18-20 Lafayette Avenue in Suffern

Look for and buy at least three of the following healthier food items at one of the participating stores and get a Shop Healthy Rockland! reusable grocery bag, while supplies last:

• Canned, frozen, or fresh vegetables without sauce
• Canned, frozen, or fresh fruits packed in natural juice, fresh whole or cut-up fruit, fruit smoothies, or 100% juice
• Whole grain bread, cereal, pasta, or rice with 3 grams or more of fiber per serving
• Beans, peas, or lentils
• Yogurt, part-skim cheese, 1% or fat free milk, low-fat soy milk, with 3 grams or less of fat per serving
• Healthier cooking oils: olive, canola, safflower, or sunflower
• Healthier sandwiches made on rye, whole grain or whole-wheat bread or wraps
• Salads with grilled chicken or roasted vegetables, or bean salads
• Combination meals served with unsweetened beverages
• Bottled water

"This program is good for my customers, because now they buy produce at my store along with our ethnic specialties and they don't have to make another trip to the supermarket," said Adeel Ilyas from Pak Khan Halal Mart in Spring Valley.

The New York State Department of Health Creating Healthier Schools and Communities and Local IMPACT grants are providing the funds for this initiative. Store owners interested in more information about participating in the Shop Healthy Rockland! campaign can call the Health Department at (845) 364-3612.