Healthy Corner Store Initiative, NJ

About the Healthy Corner Store Initiative

The Healthy Corner Store Initiative is the culmination of years of effort to bring healthier food options to our communities, particularly in areas where access to nutritious food is limited. This initiative is about more than just improving diet; it’s about accelerating learning, closing achievement gaps, and providing our children with the fuel they need to succeed.

FCHS is leading the charge to transform corner stores across Newark into reliable sources of healthy, affordable food. Here’s how we’re making it happen:

  1. Healthy Food Marketing: We’re rebranding and promoting healthy products in these stores, making them more visible and appealing. This includes strategic product placement, attractive signage, and community-driven marketing campaigns.
  2. Outreach and Promotion: We’re engaging the community to raise awareness about these healthy options, collaborating with schools, local organizations, and residents to ensure everyone knows where to find nutritious food.
  3. In-Store Nutrition Education: We’re providing in-store nutrition education, including cooking demonstrations, taste tests, and informational materials to help customers make healthier choices.
  4. SNAP and WIC Equipment Support: We’re ensuring that participating stores are equipped to accept SNAP and WIC benefits. By assisting store owners in acquiring and setting up the necessary equipment, we’re making healthy food more accessible to families who need it most.
  5. Community Engagement: We’re hosting events and workshops that encourage residents to see these stores as essential sources of healthy food, fostering a strong relationship between the stores and their communities.
  6. Reporting and Evaluation: We’ll be collecting data to assess our impact, identify areas for improvement, and demonstrate the program’s value to stakeholders and potential funders.

Why This Matters

We know that broader access to healthier food options is crucial for our children’s success. Proper nutrition is directly linked to better cognitive function, higher energy levels, and improved academic performance. By ensuring that our corner stores are stocked with fresh produce, whole grains, and other healthy options, we can help accelerate learning and close the achievement gaps that have plagued our community for too long.

A Call to Action

This is where you come in. As we expand this initiative, we need your help in identifying corner stores and wellness businesses that could benefit from this transformation. Your local knowledge is essential in pinpointing stores near gardens, urban farms, and especially those close to schools that can serve as critical access points for healthy food.

Action Request:

If you know of any corner stores or wellness businesses that could be excellent candidates for this program, please respond to this email with the name and email address of the business owner and the physical address of the proposed business. We will reach out to explore the opportunity for collaboration and ensure these businesses receive the support they need to succeed in offering healthier options.

This is a moment for us to come together and create lasting change in our community. By working together, we can ensure that every child in Newark has access to the nutritious food they need to thrive—at school, at home, and in life.

 

Statewide Corner Store Recruitment Flyer-ENG Statewide Corner Store Recruitment Flyer-SPN