BINGHAMTON, N.Y. -- The Broome County Health Department is recognizing community-based organizations that have adopted healthy food policies.

It's all part of the first ever "Creating Healthy Schools and Communities" grant, which comes at a crucial time for the county. Last year, Broome ranked 55 out of the 62 counties in the state for overall health.

This initiative is a way to promote healthy lifestyles in the workplace, while improving those numbers for next year.

The YMCA was one of 13 organizations to receive an award. Its community health and wellness director says instilling healthy eating habits in young people is crucial for their future.

"They might not take it right away," said YMCA Community Health and Wellness Director RoQue Harmon. "They're going to want the pizza and soda, but just exposing them to healthy vegetables, what the macro nutrients are, like carbohydrates and fat, just so they can have an understanding, so they don't become adults not knowing what they're talking about or what they're doing when it comes to healthy eating."

The 2017-2018 health rankings are expected to be released in March.