Food pantries in the area are getting some funding to keep healthy fresh foods on their shelves.

It’s part of a push by City Councilman Ritchie Torres to help reverse the borough's current ranking as one of the unhealthiest counties in the state.

The councilman has secured $89,000 funding for area pantries, and the purchase of $2 coupons that are treated like cash at green markets. Torres was handing out hundreds of “health bucks” to local families at the Fordham Road Plaza on Friday.

“We have a public health crisis in the Bronx. We have some of the highest rates of diabetes obesity and chronic illnesses,” says Torres. “I see it as my role as an elected official to expand access to food through green markets and farmers markets.”

Once the health bucks were all given out on Friday, residents bought fresh fruits and vegetables at the market.  

The Bronx remains one of the unhealthiest counties in the state with an obesity rate of 31 percent.  Torres says he hopes by continuing to secure funding for local health initiatives and programs, his office will help residents make better choices in what they eat.