African-Americans have dietary preferences born from cultural influences and necessity. The preference for a particular type of cuisine called soul food has resulted in various health problems for African-Americans. Soul food typically involves fried foods and lots of fatty meats prepared with rich gravies. African-Americans associate these foods with social interactions and also with their history of slavery. Therefore any efforts to get them to eat other types of healthier foods are met with resistance and are seen as trying to eradicate Black culture.
But African-Americans like Styles P and Jadakiss of the Legendary Hip-Hop group, The Lox have opened healthier establishments and trying to educate the community, that eating these unhealthy food have more to do with conditioning than culture. More and more healthier food establishments are growing in the Black Community but they are still few and far in between situated in our communities full of fast food, soul food and Caribbean restaurants.
We are trying to build a list of establishments offering a healthier alternative in the hood. And before anyone gets caught up our use of the word hood to describe Black Communities, the poorer neighborhood has less and less healthy choices and a plethora of restaurants and eateries that are outright killing us but offer inexpensive options to a family of a budget.
As we start this list we ask all our readers to share other Black-Owned establishments in Westchester County and surrounding areas that offer a healthier option so we can list them here in our quest to educate the readers and encouraging the Black Community to become healthier.
Juices For Life
Offering a healthy alternative to urban communities
211 Nepperhan Ave, Yonkers, NY 10701 – (914) 751-3521
1026 Castle Hill Ave, Bronx, NY 10472 – (347) 281-9844
3463 E. Tremont Ave, Bronx, NY 10465 – (347) 281-9060
277 Malcolm X Blvd, Brooklyn, NY 11233 – (347) 350-8558
On Tuesday, June 17, 2014, at 1:30 pm Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano joined, longtime Yonkers residents, Jason Phillips better known to the world as Jadakiss and David Styles aka Styles P to cut the ribbon on their new juice bar, Juices for Life located at 211 Nepperhan Avenue in Yonkers. Juices For Life is the second for Styles, The first one is located at 1026 Castle Hill Ave opened in 2011. Styles opened a third location (second in the Bronx) and then on September 2016 a new store opened in Brooklyn by Radio
Personality Angela Yee with the rappers’ blessing. Juices for Life is more than a brand, Jadakiss explains in his signature rasp, “our juice bars are opened in the hood on purpose to educate our people on health awareness.”
“We consider ourselves family to everyone who walks through our doors and to everyone who lives a juicing lifestyle. This includes all healthy lifestyles that will help our children, parents, siblings, and all family members within our community. Although we sell fruits, vegetables, wheatgrass, sea moss, and Love Is Love protein powder, don’t forget that we are still a bar. We consider ourselves “Cheers” for the healthy folk.
Instead of a shot of Whisky, you can get a shot of wheatgrass. If you need a healthy and cool social hangout spot that has a diverse group of people, then come visit Juices for Life.”
Brother Roy’s Green Garden Juice Bar & Health Food (NorthEast Bronx)
Green Garden Health Food Store offers a variety of fresh, delicious options including a juice bar. Come join us for a refreshing drink!
We first opened our doors as Brother Roys’ Green Garden Health Food Store in 1983, founded by Brother Roy.
We began as a family-owned and operated local business eager to share our passion for West Indian-inspired juices, health food, and natural wellness advice with our clientele. Over the years, our commitment to our regular customers, expert knowledge of our products, and our desire to educate as many people as possible about the power of nutrition allowed our business to grow exponentially.
In 2013, we moved to a larger shop at our current location, 3543 White Plains Road.
However, we still operate with the same family values that have made us so successful — and have allowed us to become a staple of the neighborhood.
When you pay us a visit, expect to be greeted by our regulars at the juice bar, customers from all walks of life, and one of at least six family members working in the shop. We’re always on hand to help you find the right supplements for your needs, give you advice about the ingredients you should try in your juice or smoothie, or simply chat with you about a new recipe you’ve discovered.
Whether you’ve lived in the neighborhood for years, have just moved here, or even if you’re commuting for work or just visiting the Bronx, we’d love to have you stop in and discover more about what makes our juice bar and store such a wonderful place to spend an afternoon. Sit and relax while you sip on our popular Pep-Up smoothie after a long day at work, or enjoy a mug of soothing tea while you read or chat with friends.
Address: 3584 White Plains Rd. Bronx, NY 10467 – Tel: (718) 652-9535
Website – Facebook – Twitter
Monday-Saturday 10am-9pm – Closed Sundays
AJ Woodson
AJ Woodson is the Editor-In-Chief of Black Westchester and Co-Owner of Urban Soul Media Group, the parent company, Host & Producer of the People Before Politics Radio Show. AJ is a Father, Brother, An Author, Journalism Fellow (Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism), Hip-Hop Artist - one third of the legendary underground rap group JVC FORCE known for the single Strong Island, Radio Personality, Hip-Hop Historian, Documentarian, Activist, Criminal Justice Advocate and Freelance Journalist whose byline has appeared in several print publications and online sites including The Source, Vibe, the Village Voice, Upscale, Sonicnet.com, Launch.com, Rolling Out Newspaper, Daily Challenge Newspaper, Spiritual Minded Magazine, Word Up! Magazine, On The Go Magazine and several others.
