A Corner Store Becomes an Oasis in an Unlikely Food Desert
Driving through the Glades agricultural community and its 500,000 acres of fertile farmland, it’s hard to believe an area so rich in produce could be a food desert for low-income residents. Understanding the complexities that make accessing and consuming healthy fruits and vegetables a challenge begins with going to the heart of the matter—the residents themselves. Their insight has led the way for “The Healthy Corner Store,” a concept launched by United Way of Palm Beach County’s Hunger Relief Initiative with support from Healthier Glades, a Palm Health Foundation initiative, American Heart Association, University of Florida/IFAS, The Glades Initiative, and local churches, elected officials, and other community partners. United Way of Palm Beach County was one of only 20 chapters to be chosen by United Way Worldwide for this new program that supports corner store owners committed to increasing the healthy food inventory in their stores while encouraging customers to make healthier choices.
For many vulnerable Glades residents, their only option for purchasing food for their families is their local corner store. Large supermarkets are an hour away, especially inaccessible when you don’t own a car. Even if they could reach a grocery store, fresh fruits and vegetables are expensive and beyond a limited household budget (some Glades communities have as many as 41% of residents living in poverty). Add to the list of challenges the fact that some residents do not own refrigerators and can’t risk purchasing foods that will quickly spoil, and it becomes clear why our Glades neighbors face an uphill battle for something many of us take for granted.
That’s where the Healthy Corner Store concept comes in. While corner stores don’t normally carry a wide variety of fresh produce, they are a staple of the community from which to build. “Corner stores have good relationships with customers—the clientele was already there,” said Julie Kreafle, United Way of Palm Beach County’s vice president for hunger relief. “We came together with local partners and residents to make sure the community fully participated in the planning and implementation of the concept and that it would be a sustainable solution.”
Healthier Glades, with its deep roots and trust within the community, became an important partner for including residents’ voices in decisions about what the stores would carry, and in promoting the produce and nutritional education. “People want to eat healthy, but when you look at the cost, many don’t have the means,” said Annie Ifill, Healthier Glades project director. “The Healthy Corner Store has been very positive for our community and our focus on promoting behaviors around healthy eating that will improve health outcomes.”
Sam’s Food Store in Canal Point, first launched as a Healthy Corner Store in December 2019, has become a model for the initiative. With a grant and guidance from United Way of Palm Beach County’s Hunger Relief team, the store purchased a refrigerator and freezer to store and display produce. Part of the grant funds deliveries of the most desired produce, chosen based on resident surveys, including onions, green peppers, oranges, bananas, and blueberries. Residents can purchase produce with Fresh Access Bucks, SNAP, EBT cards or United Way vouchers. Feedback from the community also led to the store carrying hard boiled eggs and the deli section switching to healthier options, including salads, wraps, and fruit salads. With a school right across the street, the youngest members of the community are also now exposed to healthy eating and behaviors that could last a lifetime.
Since December 2019, United Way has shipped nearly 4,000 lbs. of fresh food to Sam's Food Store with additional community partners supporting the effort, including the American Heart Association, UF/IFAS Extension Family Nutrition Program, the Glades Initiative, and local churches. Through its marketing committee, Healthier Glades is assisting with coordinating outreach, education and food demonstrations and momentum is growing, despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Plans are in the works for additional Healthy Corner Stores in South Bay and Belle Glade.
“We need people embedded in the community to make this successful,” said Liz Cabral, United Way of Palm Beach County’s manager for hunger relief. “People need to know the Healthy Corner Store is inclusive and it’s there for them to access healthy foods in a convenient, affordable way.”
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