The Minneapolis Healthy Corner Store Program

Food Policy from Neighborhood to NationAliyah Ali, MPHMay 20, 2011

Creating a Healthier Minneapolishealthy eating + physical activity + smoke-free living

Overview

• Minneapolis overview

• Minneapolis Staple Foods Ordinance

• The Minneapolis Healthy Corner Store Program

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

Taking a close look at corner stores

We know that they are everywhere…

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

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

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

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

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

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

• 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)

Resident’s perspective…

Challenges

• Staple Foods compliance

• Lack of support for owners

• Connecting residents

to the stores

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

Supports owners in making fresh produce and healthy

foods more visible, affordable, and attractive to neighborhood

residents.

The Minneapolis Healthy Corner Store

program

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

Benefits to stores

• 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

Produce Support

Internal and External Display

Owner Support

Community Engagement

and Outreach

Healthy Corner Store

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