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Creating Healthier Communities Through Corner Stores
On Thursday, February 4th the Youth Leadership Institute (YLI) in collaboration with the Central California Regional Obesity Prevention Program (CCROPP) hosted a Healthy Food Access event at the Zimmerman Boys and Girls Club. Community members, local corner store owners, farmers and young people came together to discuss supporting small stores in providing healthy food choices.
In many Southeast and Southwest Fresno neighborhoods there are no grocery stores, farmer’s markets, community gardens or other outlets to purchase fresh produce. As a result, many locals purchase much of their food at corner stores. Such corner stores primarily sell alcohol, tobacco, sodas and high calorie snack foods and lack healthy foods. Limited to no access to healthy food results in negative health consequences, such as increased obesity rates in children, youth, and adults. Supporting corner stores in providing produce and other healthy food options will help to improve the food environment in some of Fresno's most vibrant communities.
