The Healthy Corner Store Initiative

In communities that lack supermarkets, families depend on corner stores for food purchases. But most of these stores sell packaged foods with few healthy options. In 2004, The Food Trust created the Healthy Corner Store Initiative to motivate youth and adults to purchase healthier items through classroom education and direct marketing in the corner stores. The Healthy Corner Store Initiative works to increase the availability and awareness of healthy foods in corner stores in Philadelphia through a multifaceted approach including:

• Increasing store capacity to sell and market healthy items in order to improve healthy options in communities
• Training and offering technical assistance to store owners to provide the skills to make healthy changes profitable
• Marketing healthy messages to youth and adults to encourage healthy eating choices
• Educating youth in schools near targeted corner stores to reinforce healthy messages and provide nutrition education through the Snackin’ Fresh program
• Linking corner store owners to community partners, local farmers and fresh food suppliers to create and sustain healthy corner stores.

The goal of the Healthy Corner Store Initiative is to improve healthy food access in underserved communities in Philadelphia.

From 2004 to 2012, over 600 corner stores committed to providing healthy food options for customers. One hundred corner stores received conversions (investments ranging between $1,000 and $5,000) to expand inventory of produce and other healthy products.

In 2010, the Healthy Corner Store Initiative became a part of the Philadelphia Department of Public Health's Get Healthy Philly initiative. By 2012, over 600 corner stores committed to providing healthy food options for customers. Four or more new healthy products and marketing materials were introduced in 83% of enrolled stores. Over 480 hours of training were provided to store owners with the average training taking about 40 minutes. One hundred corner stores received conversions (investments ranging between $1,000 and $5,000) to expand inventory of produce and other healthy products. Store owners were provided connections to 18 suppliers and distributors as sources of fresh produce and other healthy products.