The document summarizes Minneapolis' efforts to promote healthier eating through its Healthy Corner Store Program. It discusses how corner stores play an important role in food access but often lack healthy options. The program works with 8 corner stores to increase fresh produce inventory, display healthy marketing materials, track healthy food sales, and receive produce handling training. The goal is to strategically display and promote healthier foods to connect residents with affordable options near them.

1. Creating a Healthier Minneapolis healthy eating + physical activity + smoke-free living The Minneapolis Healthy Corner Store ProgramFood Policy from Neighborhood to NationAliyah Ali, MPHMay 20, 2011

2. Overview Minneapolis overview Minneapolis Staple Foods Ordinance The Minneapolis Healthy Corner Store Program

3. About Minneapolis Total Population: 382,618 (2000) Diverse community + large immigrant populations High rates of health disparities and inequities in our communities of color Increasing obesity rates

4. Taking a close look at corner stores

5. We know that they are everywhere…

6. We also know… Families often depend on corner stores for grocery needs Corner stores often have limited healthy food choices Stores are required to carry minimum variety of healthy foods Staple Foods Ordinance 2009 WIC changes

7. Quick history lesson…2008 Minneapolis Staple Foods Ordinance (c) All grocery stores licensed under this chapter must offer for sale food for home preparation and consumption, on a continuous basis, at least three (3) varieties of qualifying, non-expired or spoiled, food in each of the following four (4) staple food groups, with at least five (5) varieties of perishable food in the first category and at least two (2) varieties of perishable food in all subsequent categories: (1) Vegetables and/or fruits. (2) Meat, poultry, fish and/or vegetable proteins. (3) Bread and/or cereal. (4) Dairy products and/or substitutes

8. Staple Foods Ordinance: Unexpected Impetus? Spearheaded by Licensing Department Crime prevention strategy Enhance outer appearance of the store Staple Foods = Expansion of Customer Base Food access issue for Health Department

9. Fast Forward to now-ish… Cstore Assessments Conducted by the Health Department Focused in North Minneapolis low-income two full-scale grocery stores complimented a larger food assessment Two-phased Visual assessment Owner Interview

10. Visual Assessment (n=35) 72% not in compliance with produce component of Staple Foods Ordinance 34% didn’t carry any fresh produce Most commonly stocked produce include: onions, potatoes, bananas, and lemons/or limes Produce was often found on the bottom of shelves, refrigeration cases, or beverage coolers

11. Owner interviews (n=22) 55% were aware of the Staple Foods Ordinance Most store owners indicated that customers rarely come in for staple foods such as produce, milk, and eggs Owners need assistance related to produce marketing and education such as: Sourcing In-store displays Handling Promotional materials such as signage and recipe cards Loans/grants to upgrade equipment

12. Resident’s perspective… Most prefer fresh produce over canned 40% of Near North residents having access to a vehicle Residents gave low ratings to availability and quality of fresh produce at corner stores – locations that were reportedly easiest to access Unimpressed by cstore produce High cost Low quality Lack of freshness Owners vs resident’s quite the conundrum! (Source: Northside Healthy Eating Project)

13. Challenges Staple Foods compliance Lack of support for owners Connecting residents to the stores

14. Staple Foods: Enforcement Enforced by licensing department Approximately 50 violations since passed Warning + education Follow-up inspection Stores generally in compliance; 9 citations Compliance super awesome produce Inspectors recognize support for owners needed

15. The Minneapolis Healthy Corner Store program Supports owners in making fresh produce and healthy foods more visible, affordable, and attractive to neighborhood residents.

16. Quick Snapshot… 8 partner stores have agreed to: Increase inventory of produce Display Healthy Corner Store marketing materials within the store Document and sharing sales records of healthy foods Attend a produce handling training Implementation completed December

17. Benefits to stores Produce Support Internal and External Display Community Engagement and Outreach Healthy Corner Store Owner Support Store assistance entails: Strategically displaying fresh produce and healthy foods Displaying in-store promotional materials highlighting healthy foods Purchasing, pricing and stocking healthy foods affordably Developing a financial system to help track and monitor sales of healthy foods Creating customer demand through engagement opportunities

18. Interior/Exterior Display Healthy foods display Display baskets Visible veggies Priced pears 3 core items: grab and go, healthy meal, WIC aisle (if applicable) Signage (indoor and outdoor) Connecting with other City Departments Zoning Public Works Environmental Health Licensing