Food Retail Initiatives. NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

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1 Food Retail Initiatives NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

2 Goal: Work with all types of food retail venues to increase access to healthy foods Supermarkets Bodegas Farmers Markets Mobile Food Vendors 2

3 Food Access Programs Green Carts: Mobile fresh produce vendors authorized to vend in the areas of the City with the least consumption of fruits and vegetables Almost 500 Green Cart permits distributed to date Over 50 EBT terminals currently in use at Green Carts Farmers Markets: Health Bucks--$2 coupons that can be used to purchase fresh produce at every farmers market (138) in the City Distributed to over 180 community sites citywide to encourage market visits Used as an incentive for Food Stamp Users for every $5 spent in EBT the customer gets one Health Buck (unlimited) at the over 125 markets in the City that accept EBT. A 40% increase in purchasing power Over 200,000 coupons distributed in 2012 representing almost half a million dollars in free fresh produce for low income New Yorkers Shop Healthy NYC: Works with supermarkets and bodegas to increase access to and promotion of healthier foods including beverages, deli items, snacks, canned goods, and produce Has worked with over 1000 food retailers citywide providing technical assistance and marketing support Trains community sites to Adopt a Shop to ensure demand and sustainability Partners with suppliers and distributors to reduce risk for store owners Currently targeting two high need zip codes in the Bronx

4 In 2012, Health Bucks accepted at all 138 markets in the City and offered as an EBT incentive at over 125. Stellar Cooking Demos at 19 citywide. Farmers Markets

5 Starting in June 2008, rule change to allow 1000 Green Cart Permits over 2 years Can only sell fresh non processed produce in designated areas To date, almost 500 permits allocated Green Carts

6 Shop Healthy NYC Worked with over 1000 bodegas and 50 supermarkets since 2006 Increase inventory of healthier foods Promote healthier foods and replace ads for unhealthy products Connect stores to technical assistance like low interest loans, applications for stoop line permits, energy audits, community sites, etc.

7 What is Shop Healthy NYC? Environmental changes are among the most promising strategies for addressing obesity and improving diet and physical activity. Shop Healthy NYC is an innovative neighborhood-based approach that simultaneously addresses both supply and demand, the two elements required to effectively and sustainably affect access.

8 Shop Healthy NYC: Working With Stores Visit all stores in two target zip codes to inform them about the initiative and ask them to promote healthy items in stock with free marketing materials (n=200) Recruit subset of stores to make more intensive store changes (n=80)

9 Changes Required for Stores to meet Retail Challenge -stores that complete 4 of 7 receive Shop Healthy Here decal

10 Promotional Materials Provided to Stores 10

11 Incentives Provided -upon completion, Proclamation from Bronx CAN initiative and certificate from Bronx Chamber of Commerce 11

12 Collaborating with Neighborhood Stakeholders Stores will stock what their customers will buy. Empower customers to ask for change! Offer incentives to stores from community stakeholders (proclamations, certificates, maps, press, promotions) Support healthy neighborhood venues (mobile carts, farmers markets, etc) 12

13 Empower Communities to Make Change Adopt a Shop!

14 Examples of the Role Community Sites Can Play A New Kids Corner Offering Healthy Snacks The seniors at Notre Dame Apartments adopted their local bodega, Rivas Deli/Grocery at 651 East 183rd Street to create a healthy Kids Corner. Teens Are Eating Their Greens Teens from the St. Barnabas Hospital Teen Health Center adopted their local Green Cart at 188th and Grand Concourse. The group met with the Green Cart s owners to figure out how they could help boost the Cart s business and visibility in the community and decided on a few simple and fun activities: Help create more attractive produce displays using reusable baskets and decorative price signs Distribute Shop Healthy t-shirts and reusable shopping bags to customers as an incentive for shopping at the Cart Agree to purchase $100 worth of fruits and vegetables per week for 6 weeks from the Green Cart ensuring regular business for the Cart and easy access to healthy snacks for teens at the Center 14

15 Questions? Sabrina Baronberg Director Food Access and Community Health NYC DOHMH