press release

Avatar of Liz Simmons, Community Food Security Coalition

by Liz Simmons, Community Food Security Coalition

Healthier Food Options Just Around the Corner

March 1, 2011 in News

Spokane Regional Health District, March 1, 2011. This press release describes the progress of a Spokane, Washington, corner store in the Spokane Regional Health District healthy corner store program. Bong’s Grocery and Deli now has a “Healthy Corner Area,” a fresh produce rack with 15 varieties of fruits and vegetables, whole grain breads, and free recipes. Throughout the store, healthier foods are labeled, making it easier for customers to locate healthy options. Health District staff members are helping the store by offering technical support and business training. Funding is provided in part by a grant from the CDC through the Communities Putting Prevention to Work program. See a video clip about the program here.

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Avatar of Liz Simmons, Community Food Security Coalition

by Liz Simmons, Community Food Security Coalition

Report Finds District’s “Grocery Gap” Leaves Some Neighborhoods with Few Options for Healthy Food; Urges Creation of an Initiative to Spur Development and Close the Gap

March 16, 2010 in News

March 16, 2010, D.C. Hunger Solutions. This press release describes a new report by D.C. Hunger Solutions and Social Compact that found many low-income neighborhoods in Washington D.C. lack access to full-service grocery stores. The report, When Healthy Food is Out of Reach, recommends the creation of a Healthy Food Access Initiative that would “attract full-service grocers and other healthy food vendors to underserved neighborhoods and improve the capacity of existing food retailers in those areas.”  The recommendations emphasize including corner stores and other small-scale ventures in the initiative.

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Avatar of Liz Simmons, Community Food Security Coalition

by Liz Simmons, Community Food Security Coalition

Obama Administration Details Healthy Food Financing Initiative

February 19, 2010 in News

Healthy Food Financing Initiative. February 19, 2010, United States Department of the Treasury. This announcement describes the new $400 million initiative to expand access to healthy food retail in under-served communities. Modeled after the Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative, a goal of the intervention is to eliminate food deserts in seven years. The new Food Environment Atlas is mentioned as a tool for identifying undeserved areas. The program is still being developed and the funding process and criteria have not yet been finalized, but small-scale stores will be able to participate. Funds will be available for smaller-scale interventions such as placing refrigerated units stocked with fresh produce in convenience stores.

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Avatar of Liz Simmons, Community Food Security Coalition

by Liz Simmons, Community Food Security Coalition

How to Bring Healthier Food to Corner Stores: New Paper Explores Innovative Strategies from Across the U.S.

August 4, 2009 in News

August 4, 2009, Institute For Agriculture and Trade Policy. This press release describes the report Healthy Food for All: Healthy Corner Store Strategies from Across the United States, which examines successful efforts to expand healthy food options and lessons learned from those efforts.

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Avatar of Liz Simmons, Community Food Security Coalition

by Liz Simmons, Community Food Security Coalition

New Healthy WIC Foods Available in Minnesota August 1: Changes Lauded for Improving Access to Fruits and Vegetables

July 29, 2009 in News

Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, July 29, 2009. This press release describes the first major changes to the national WIC program in 35 years. The changes will require food vendors that receive WIC vouchers to make fresh fruits and vegetables available at all times.

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Avatar of Liz Simmons, Community Food Security Coalition

by Liz Simmons, Community Food Security Coalition

Health Department Launches ‘Move to Fruits and Vegetables’ Campaign with Bodegas

December 1, 2006 in News

New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, December 2006. Press release describing an effort by the NYC Health Department to bring fresh fruits and vegetables to dozens of bodegas in Harlem and the South Bronx. Includes links to maps indicating locations of participating bodegas.

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