After years of dedication to the Southern Tier, the Steps to A Healthier NY program is getting a pat on the back.
The state's health commissioner says the program is sparking changes in Broome County... Changes that are improving the health of the community.
Its this week's Steps to a Healthier NY.
New York's Health Commissioner, Richard Daines is impressed with prevention efforts in Broome County.
He visited the area during his statewide tour to learn about the regions efforts to prevent obesity.
"Binghamton has a great reputation in that area. The way the community and the schools and the businesses work together is really a model for the state" Daines says.
Dr. Daines is talking about the Steps to A Healthier New York Program and its initiatives...
Like the Rock on café program at local schools cafeterias like Johnson City Middle School.
The Commissioner had the chance to taste-test the menu and learn about the program.
He says " I talked to the school food director about what he's done to substitute whole wheat bread for white break, for skim milk and 1 percent milk for whole milk and all of those little things that add up over 10, 12 years in school."
He also had the chance to learn about Mission Meltaway.
The 8 week program has sparked weight loss at more than 100 organizations and companies, including Security Mutual in Binghamton.
"What we're so interested is how people build healthy lifestyles into the workplace. You know, we spend 40 to 50 hours a week at work and if thats an unhealthy place its hard to overcome it when your tired at night" says the Commissioner.
Since the program started, people in Broome County have melted away a combined 8-thousand pounds.
Dr. Daines says the Steps to a Healthier New York program is making a difference and plans on sharing the initiatives with other communities across the state.
For this Week's Steps to a Healthier New York, I'm Jessica Light.