In neighborhood bodegas throughout New York City, the shelves are stocked with cookies, chips and other snack food
items. They carry staples, like bread and milk, but only one in three bodegas carries anything other than whole fat
milk and fewer stock good quality fruits and vegetables, if they have any at all. Many of the city's residents -
particularly those of lower incomes - do most of their shopping at these neighborhood convenience stores, rather than
frequenting larger supermarkets. This means that these shoppers often have limited or less frequent access to
healthier foods.
In an effort to provide healthier options at these stores and combat the rising obesity rate in the city, the New York Times reports that city officials have started a program to increase the consumption and availability of low fat milk at bodegas. Participating owners will offer discounts on the products and post flyers provided by the health department to encourage customers to purchase them.
While this is certainly a first step in the battle against obseity, it is a very small step. Whole milk contains approximately 150 calories and 8 grams of fat per cup, while 1% low fat milk has 110 calories and 2.5 grams of fat. This is a small reduction in total fat and calories, even if everyone switched from whole to low fat. Granted, every little bit helps, but the sugary drinks and sodas that milk competes against are bigger culprits in the rising obesity rate. Perhaps the next push from the New York City health department will include switching sodas and sports drinks for fresh fruit juices and whole fruits.
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