Union Community Health Center

In 2015, Dr. Vanessa Salcedo launched the SSB (sugar-sweetened beverage) Free Zone at Union Community Health Center (UCHC), creating a role-modeling environment where staff was encouraged to ditch the sugary beverages and opt for healthier beverage choices such as water and seltzer. The UCHC model was received well across the community by elected officials, community organizations, media and has also received national recognition. As a result, the model was adopted by the Bronx Neighborhood Action Center and the HBZ was formed with UCHC serving as one of the lead organizations of the initiative and in partnership with the #Not62 campaign.