Minimum Stocking Levels and Marketing Strategies of Healthful Foods for Small Retail Food Stores

Overview

The healthfulness of foods and beverages found in retail food stores differs widely across the United States, both by location of the store as well as by store type. Communities with predominantly white residents have two to four
times more supermarkets and large-chain grocery stores than communities of color. In contrast, lower-income and communities of color have more small food outlets, such as small food stores (‘corner stores’) and convenience stores. These small food stores primarily tend to sell prepackaged foods and beverages that are high in calories and poor in nutrients. They are also less likely to sell healthy, staple foods such as fruits and vegetables, whole grain-rich
foods, and low-fat dairy products.
 
Thus, some communities have limited access to stores that carry healthful foods, and these limitations likely contribute, at least in part, to disparities in diet and health. As such, several strategies are now being implemented in many locations across the
United States to increase access to healthy foods in underserved communities. 

Perspectives of Urban Corner Store Owners and Managers on Community Health Problems and Solutions

Overview

Urban corner store interventions have been implemented to improve access to and promote purchase of healthy foods. However, the perspectives of store owners and managers, who deliver and shape these interventions in collaboration with nonprofit, government, and academic partners, have been largely overlooked. We sought to explore the views of store owners and managers on the role of their stores in the community and their beliefs about health problems and solutions in the community.

Mid South Healthy Food Initiative Program Summary

Overview

Administered by Hope Enterprise Corporation in partnership with The Food Trust, the Mid South Healthy Food Financing Initiative is a regional healthy food financing program that offers flexible financing for new store development and renovations, as well as training with retailers to promote healthier choices projects across three states in the Mid South region.

Retail Environment Conversation Starters

Overview

This set of 4 one-pagers introduces the rationale behind and benefits of a comprehensive approach to the retail environment. Use the sample talking points in each of the conversation starters below to identify shared goals and make the case for collaboration.

Convenience Store Distribution Options for Fresh Produce

Overview

Published by the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) and the United Fresh Produce Association, this new resource looks at distribution options available to store owners and provides an overview of the various options available to retailers seeking to increase their fresh produce offerings.

Healthy Food Access: A View of the Landscape in Minnesota and Lessons Learned from Healthy Food Financing Initiatives - Summary

Overview

This study explored healthy food financing initiatives (HFFIs)—one possible solution for expanding healthy food access in underserved communities. HFFIs are public-private funds that offer flexible capital in the form of loans and grants to developers and operators of food retail businesses. Interviews with managers of existing funds throughout the United States reveal that: 
 
  • Seed money, including funds for planning and administration, is important for a successful launch. 
  • To date, the majority of HFFI dollars have gone to support already established business owners. 
  • Many healthy food projects are not equipped to take on debt. Grants or forgivable loans are needed in order to produce additional healthy food outlets, especially in areas that, from a business standpoint, would be considered unprofitable. 
  • Flexible sources of capital are critical for maximum deployment of funds, and project requirements should not be overly restrictive. 
  • HFFI-funded projects have helped to create jobs, expand healthy food retail, and eliminate food deserts. In some neighborhoods, these projects also spurred additional community revitalization. (4) 
  • There are several cases of HFFI loan recipients partnering with other organizations, including community clinics, medical schools, and fitness facilities, to improve resident health. According to managers of HFFI funds, retail outlets need to be rooted in the community in order to be successful. To that end, business owners can play an important role in supporting population health improvement goals. 
 

Healthy Food Access: A View of the Landscape in Minnesota and Lessons Learned from Healthy Food Financing Initiatives

Overview

The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis and Wilder Research conducted a mixed-methods study to provide information to those interested in improving Minnesota's food retail environment.

Supporting Healthy Corner Store Development in New Jersey

Overview

In 2014–15, the New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids, The Food Trust and the American Heart Association convened a multi-sector statewide task force to enhance the impact of healthy corner store efforts by examining business owner and community needs, as well as policy and program solutions to expand the distribution, promotion and sale of healthy food in New Jersey corner stores. 

Tracking Healthy Food Sales

Overview

Through a review of healthy food retailer program reports and interviews
 with program staff and experts in the field, ChangeLab Solutions has assembled a list of viable sales data tracking methods. We have assessed each method using four criteria – accuracy, cost, burden on program staff, and burden on store staff – to show each method’s strengths and weaknesses. This easy-to-use resource can help healthy retail advocates and retailers pick the best sales tracking methods for their program. 

Good. To Go. San Jose Healthy Corner Store Program Case Study

Overview

This case study profiles the Healthy Corner Store Program (HCP) developed as part of The Health Trust’s Good. To Go. (G2G) campaign, a community-based campaign aimed at increasing the purchase of produce and quality foods through a network of on-the-ground, trusted community vendors, including corner store retailers, Fresh Cart mobile produce vendors, farmers’ market managers, and urban farmers. The case study documented key efforts working with corner store retailers in San Jose over the course of two years (2013-15). 

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