PHILADELPHIA -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a new publication intended to help enhance access to healthy foods for residents of low-income neighborhoods. The Healthy Corner Stores Guide provides information, strategies and resources for organizations interested in making healthy foods and beverages available in convenience stores, bodegas and other “corner stores” within their communities.
“USDA is committed to encouraging neighborhood stores to stock and sell healthier food and beverage items,” Kevin Concannon, under secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services, said at Good Neighbor Mini Market in Philadelphia. “Families in low-income areas rely on corner stores because their communities often lack supermarkets, farmers markets or stores where they can buy fresh produce and other healthy foods.”
Good Neighbor Mini Market has more than quadrupled its fresh produce selection, tripled its low-sodium and low-sugar canned vegetable and fruit inventory and introduced a wide variety of healthy snacks since joining The Food Trust’s Healthy Corner Store Network in July 2010. The network connects community members, nonprofits, local government, funders and other advocates across the country to share resources and best practices on the latest strategies for healthy food retail in small stores.
The Healthy Corner Stores Guide provides strategies for marketing healthier product options, sourcing healthy food and beverages and making changes to the way stores display food and beverage items. For example, stores could display healthier items at eye level, near checkout counters or by entryways, so they are visible when customers enter the store. The guide also describes how to engage owners and community members through nutrition education and program incentives.
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