HEALTHY RETAIL PROGRAM

DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING LOCAL SMALL FOOD RETAILERS.

Our retail team partnered with small retailers that demonstrated an exemplary commitment to providing healthy food options in neighborhoods where fast food and junk foods overwhelmed or drowned out healthy options.

Retail efforts complimented Food Access LA’s mission of bringing fresh produce and healthy food options to Los Angeles communities. In addition to hosting weekly farmers’ markets, by working with small food retailers in the South Los Angeles area, we ensured that access to healthy options was a daily right.

The nutrition education program and retail program worked hand in hand helping community members make healthier food choices and learn how to prepare healthy meals and snacks. The retail program provided tailored assistance to retailers to increase the amount of healthy food items and fresh produce sold at partner stores.  Coupled with in-store nutrition education and food demonstrations, our retail program created a tangible and lasting impact.


WE FOCUSED ON PRINCIPLES OF MARKETING TO HELP LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD

Product: Introduced healthy food products and/or fresh produce that the community wanted while also being economical to store owners.

Price: Made healthy food items price competitive to surrounding retailers and worked with store owners to find creative pricing solutions to boost their bottom line while also boosting healthy purchases.

Promotion: Created marketing materials like store front displays and signage that highlighted healthy food options.

Placement: Arranged healthy food options within the store in a way that made it easier to see and buy.

Prevalence: Increased the healthy food options across the South Los Angeles community to give people options where they live.

HOW IT WORKED

After identifying our store partners, we completed a quick assessment to pinpoint areas of greatest need.  After in-depth conversations with store owners and staff around current practices and their healthy store vision, we also encouraged community involvement through community events hosted at the store and conducted outreach to nearby community organizations and schools. The voice of community members was built in throughout the process to drive change.

Because we were responsive to the requests and needs of the store owner and community, the end results were custom-built.  One of our stores experienced a doubling in produce purchases and sales while another store transformed its storefront with a beautiful new window display that our retail team personally designed.

Check out our Healthy Corner Store Toolkit.

  • “I've learned to make more nutritious foods and found out that it actually tastes good.”

    Central Avenue Farmers Market Participant

  • “I learned to cook healthier and to be better. [The classes] help me to be better physically and to share recipes with my son.”

    Central Avenue Farmers Market Participant

  • “I've made many changes in my daily life because of what I’ve learned thanks to the wonderful staff who motivate me to live healthier [...] progress like never before and many of my friends have even made comments about my “Healthier” appearance.”

    Raphael Santillan, Central Avenue Farmers’ Market

  • "The program was amazing; I learned that eating healthy is a lifestyle I should make. I am thankful for everything. I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart.”

    Cindy Ortiz, Parent Center

  • “Nutrition classes helped me to make right choices in regards to shopping more veggies and fruits than meats and dairy products.

    Narina Kazarian, Parent Center

  • “There was a reason I kept coming back week after week. I want to thank you for teaching me how to read the labels because now when I go to the store I know how to tell what’s good for me and what isn’t."

    Darryl Turner, MLK Campus Farmers Market

  • "I never liked green beans or red peppers [but after learning about stir fry] I had to convert! It’s helpful to have different things to cook that are not only healthy but also very good. I’m very happy that I was introduced to something new by coming to your class.”

    Andres Lara, MLK Campus Farmers Market