Fresh Findings: Healthy Corner Store Project Expands to 4 More Districts
December 14, 2020 - San Antonio
Eat good, feel good. The City of San Antonio’s Healthy Corner Store Initiative is a collaboration with community health leaders and business owners. Photo: City of San Antonio.
By Jade Esteban Estrada, Staff Writer, San Antonio Sentinel
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
- The VIVA SA Healthy Corner Store Initiative, which began in 2019 in District 3, will be expanding to Districts 1, 2, 4, and 7 to a total of twenty stores in the program by the end of the year
- The program's access gives people the ability to buy healthy fruits and vegetables at a low cost
The City of San Antonio Metropolitan Health District has partnered with community health leaders and business owners in Districts 1, 2, 4, and 7 to promote the sale of fresh, affordable produce to local residents.
Under the guidance of District 3 San Antonio City Councilmember Rebecca Viagran, the VIVA SA Healthy Corner Store Initiative began in D3 in April 2019 with eight participating stores. This year, the project will be expanding to four more districts to a total of twenty stores in the program by the end of the year.
“The Healthy Corner Store project has been a great collaboration with council districts, store owners, and our community health workers,” said Jennifer Herriott, assistant director over the Community Health and Safety Division of the City of San Antonio Metropolitan Health District. “We are excited to be able to bring healthy and affordable food to neighborhoods who do not have easy access to large grocery stores.”
The pilot project in District 3 was awarded the SA Tomorrow Sustainability Award in 2019. This project is a community collaboration and has been made possible by the work of the Food Policy Council of San Antonio, the San Antonio Food Bank, University of Incarnate Word’s School of Osteopathic Medicine, Big State Produce, and the City of San Antonio Metropolitan Health District’s Healthy Neighborhoods program and the Community Nutrition Team.
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“The VIVA SA Healthy Corner Store initiative is something I am so proud of and gives me hope for the future,” said Viagran. “The program has been transformative for District 3 and surrounding areas.”
The South Side councilwoman, who is currently serving her fourth and final term, started the pilot program to combat food insecurity and bring healthy food into corner stores throughout the city. The access gives individuals the ability to buy healthy fruits and vegetables at a low cost.
“When I see my constituents purchasing these healthy foods and being so complimentary of the program, I know this is filling a need and it makes me want to do more,” she added. “I am happy this program is continuing to grow throughout San Antonio.”
Locations and corner stores were selected based on food desert data (as determined by the USDA’s Food Atlas), acceptance of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits by the corner stores, community health worker (CHW) input, community member feedback, distance from a grocery store, and store-owner interest.
Healthy corner stores increase healthy food options for local residents by offering accessible and affordable, nutritious choices. The project operates by utilizing cost sharing with stores to promote the sale of fresh fruits and vegetables at an economical price to the community.
When the program ends, the stores will have the experience necessary to sell produce both successfully and without subsidy. The San Antonio Food Bank provides training on how to market and store produce and the University of Incarnate Word supports the project’s community events and provides business plans for store owners to help ensure sustainability, which, just to circle back, is the long-term goal.
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So far, the initiative has earned nothing but praise.
“We are a neighborhood South Texas Merchants Association union store serving local communities by providing them with fresh fruits and vegetables near their residence,” said Ahmed Badarpura, owner of Kim’s Express, one of the participating stores. “That is part of the convenience that we offer. Also, since we have an elementary school nearby, we offer fresh water and fruits and vegetables to kids, also promoting healthy choices.”
Badarpura said he’s excited about being a part of the program.
“It brings more customers to the store and helps us achieve our overall goal of serving the neighborhood,” he said in an emailed statement.
Learn more about VIVA SA Healthy Corner Stores at Metro Health’s website.
Jade Esteban Estrada is a staff writer for the San Antonio Sentinel, where he covers public health and other citywide issues. jade@sasentinel.com | Twitter: @getjaded