SPOKANE, Wash. -- Most people stop by convenience stores for a cup of coffee or a candy bar, but a new program is putting fresh produce and whole grain breads into Spokane area convenience stores, according to a report from KXLY.com.
Bong's Grocery and Deli is the first store to become a Healthy Corner Store in the Spokane area. That means it now stocks healthy produce, organic options in its freezers and whole grain breads.
"The idea is to get the food into the low-income neighborhoods and make it affordable," Natalie [image-nocss] Tauzin with the Spokane Regional Health District told the TV news channel.
Many people who live near Bong's, located at 2040 West Boone, don't have cars or don't want to take the bus to larger grocery stores, so they go to convenience stores for food. Now when they come, they can get healthy food, too, according to the report.
Store owners Bong Cho said even though she just started the program Thursday, it's looking to be extremely successful. "My customers are really excited, and so am I," Cho said.
The Spokane Regional Health District selected Bong's Grocery and Deli to be Spokane's first Healthy Corner Store last November, according to the agency.
Noticeable changes to the c-store include a "Healthy Corner Area" with: A fresh-produce rack complete with 15 varieties of seasonal fruit and vegetables. A whole-grains area with whole-grain breads, cereals and rice. Simple recipes for preparing these foods. Labeling that indicates healthier snack and drink options throughout the store.
Activities and giveaways at the grand opening this past weekend were given in the spirit of living a healthier lifestyle, including: Raffle for a free bicycle with baskets. Fresh fruit and vegetables with purchase of healthy food items. Living lettuce grown in Spokane County. Free coffee from Indaba Coffee.
A Spokane Healthy Corner Store commits itself to increasing the availability and sales of healthy, affordable food, according to the Spokane Regional Health District. Over the last four months, Health District staff worked with the West Central Healthy Neighborhood Group and with Bong's to provide technical assistance for wholesale purchases of healthy foods and to develop and implement Spokane Healthy Corner Store marketing and business plans.
Technical support and marketing assistance for Spokane Healthy Corner Stores is paid for in part by a grant from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through the Washington Department of Health's Communities Putting Prevention to Work (federal stimulus funds) and funding from the Spokane Regional Health District. The grant specifies that stores be selected from low-income neighborhoods.
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