Healthy Neighborhood Stores: Key Recommendation for Working with Owners of Small Stores in Communities of High Need

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In underserved populations, improving the accessibility of healthy foods is recommended.  According to the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, small community food stores can help promote healthy eating behaviors in their customers by providing healthy food options.  In Nebraska the Healthy Neighborhood Store (HNS) project was implemented to increase the “availability and affordability” of fresh fruits and vegetable, low-fat milk, lean meats, whole grains and other healthy food options.  The project was funded by the CDC and Prevention Communities Putting Prevention to Work grant and led by the county’s health department.
The project interventions within a store included changing the placement of healthy foods to increase the sales of these items, increasing the amount of healthy foods being offered,  reducing the amount of  alcohol and tobacco advertising, installing the necessary coolers and shelving for the new healthy food options, and making the store environment more pleasant by installing new lighting.  Technical assistance was provided by the HNS and included nutrition education such as offering cooking demonstrations and taste testings.
The project appeared to be successful.  One HNS store owner said, “Before, [customers] just came to buy beer or cigarettes, but now they really come to buy milk and food items, or frozen food.”   HNS store owners participating in the WIC program indicated that their involvement in the project helped them stock the required healthy foods needed for the program.  The project only lasted 3-12 months.  Additional funding to extend the program to help store owners promote and provide healthy food options is needed.
The project is a clear indication that if store owners in underserved communities are provided with adequate support and direction, healthy food options can be offered to their customers.    
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Smith, T., Schram, S., Tibbits, M., Wang, H., Balluf, M (2015).  Healthy neighborhood stores: key recommendations for working with owners of small stores in communities of high need.  Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

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