Bronx, NY— Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson joined community partners to celebrate the launch of the Healthy Bodega/ Bodega Fresca “2025 Healthy Fall Choices” menu. This initiative brings fresh, culturally inspired grab-and-go meals and snacks into local bodegas in the South Bronx, ensuring Bronx residents have access to affordable, nutritious, and delicious food options in neighborhoods historically impacted by food insecurity.
“This healthy bodega initiative is about justice. It’s about transforming bodegas into spaces where health and culture meet and our families can find affordable, fresh meals that reflect who we are and where we come from,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “I want to thank all the partners involved in this project for their partnership and commitment to ensuring access to healthy food remains a right for all and not a privilege for a select few.”
“For years, we’ve worked alongside Bronx families to reshape food access and push for systemic solutions. Healthy Bodega/Bodega Fresca is a direct result of this shared advocacy and strategic collaboration,” said Shen’naque Sean Butler, Founder of the FRESCH Initiative.
“It’s time for bodegas to be part of the solution to our community health challenges,” said Francisco Marte, President of the Bodega and Small Business Group. “We are proud to have brought Bronx bodega owners together in a partnership that shows what’s possible when store owners and community leaders join forces to create profitable, healthy food options. Our mission is Healthy Bodegas and Healthy Communities.”
“We are excited that six Bronx bodegas are offering healthier and affordable food choices to their customers,” said Bronx Health REACH Project Director Charmaine Ruddock. “These grab-and-go offerings make it accessible for Bronx residents to eat healthier at their local bodegas.”
“At Collective Fare, our ‘secret sauce’ lies in the blend of passion, purpose and community-centered values that drive everything we do. We’re not just about serving incredible food; we’re about creating experiences that leave a positive impact on both people and the planet,” said LaToya Meaders, CEO of Collective Fare and Kitchen.
Bodega Fresca was created to bring fresh, culturally inspired grab-and-go foods into Bronx neighborhood corner stores with bodega and community leadership at the forefront. Sponsored by a grant from the New York Health Foundation, this unique collaboration of commercial and public health partners continues to work directly with Bronx consumers, bodegas, schools, and community groups to taste-test, design, and produce family-focused, healthy, and delicious Grab and Go meals and snacks for sale at local bodegas in the Hunts Point/Longwood area.
The new Healthy Bodega/Bodega Fresca Fall lineup, specially crafted by Collective Fare, includes energizing cold fresh-squeezed drinks (lightly sweetened with agave and honey) and crunchy, crave-worthy snacks. New items include:
Refresh-Red Limeade (zesty lime, beet, hibiscus, raspberry–packed with anti-oxidants); Coconut Carrot Ginger Glow Coolers (creamy coconut, carrot, ginger, citrus, turmeric); Tropical Mint Coolers (pineapple, cucumber, lime, mint), plus sweet island-inspired snacks for school, work or gym, a natural energy boost with no crash: Coconut and Guava Oatmeal Energy Bites (soft and chewy) and Spiced Coconut, Chia and Tamarind Granola Bites.
Click here for an op-ed from Borough President Gibson and Francisco Marte, President of the Bodega and Small Business Group-BHR, on the importance of this initiative.