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Corner Store Campaign
Youth derive a large proportion of their total energy from high-fat snack foods. Researchers estimate that snacks provide approximately 610 calories to teenagers’ diets each day. And the percentage of calories derived from snack foods is on the rise as the average number of daily snacks eaten by teens increased by 25% since 1977. Here in Philadelphia , elementary school students report that they visit corner stores daily, spending up to $2 per visit on foods high in fat and sugar: chips, candy, soda, French fries, and hamburgers. The Food Trust is working collaboratively with corner store owners to promote healthier snack choices to young people.
About the development of the Corner Store Campaign
The Food Trust’s Corner Store Campaign seeks to reduce the incidence of diet-related disease and obesity by improving the snack food choices made by adolescents in corner stores. The Corner Store Campaign uses social marketing and education to increase demand for healthy snacks, works with the food industry to increase the availability of healthier choices in stores, and promotes participation in the school meals programs.
Snack Smart - Social Marketing Campaign
The Food Trust, with the assistance of Brown Partners, a minority-owned multicultural public relations and communications firm, has developed the SNACK SMART (R)* social marketing campaign to promote healthier snack choices at these stores. Youth played a pivotal role in the design of this campaign. More than 105 youth, ages 5-12, participated in focus groups on snacking behavior and message development. We are currently working with 10 store owners predominantly of Hispanic and Asian descent in the Philadelphia area located both in the Northern and Southern sections of the city (click here for the list of stores).
Snack Smart in our Stores
Marketing materials were placed on refrigerator doors, on snack racks as well as on the front doors and windows of the store. Moreover, a SNACK SMART (R) Snack Guide with pictures of all snacks that meet our criteria was placed on counters, walls, or hung from ceilings that provided kids with a clear and easy way to determine which are the healthier snacks and beverages.
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aaaaaaa Snack Smart Guide aaaaaaaaa Snack Smart Refrigerator Sticker
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Education
The Food Trust also works to reinforce messages about healthy eating and to ensure that foods offered in Philadelphia schools promote good nutrition and contribute to the development of lifelong, healthy eating habits. The Food Trust works with teachers and staff to educate parents about the value of school meals and the importance of encouraging their children to make healthy food choices on the way to and from school and during the school day.
Snack Smart Street Soldiers Comic Book
"Don't get it twisted! Just cuz you're at the corner store doesn't mean you can't buy a healthy snack." The Snack Smart Street Soldiers: Mission 001 comic book is not only fun to read, but an excellent educational tool which encourages young readers to think differently about the kinds of snacks they choose. Through a humorous cast of characters the comic book teaches young consumers about the importance of healthy snacking and provides them with the tools they need to understand nutrition labels. The comic book is available for $1.00/copy plus $3.13 for postage and handling.
Food Choice
The Food Trust’s Fresh Food Financing Initiative works to increase the availability of healthier choices in low-income urban communities. The Food Trust conducted a survey of food choices available in the corner stores near schools in five Philadelphia neighborhoods. Healthy food choices are available only in limited quantities in most of these stores. For example, only one store carried low-fat milk in single serving containers and none sold fresh fruit. The Food Trust will work to encourage the snack food industry to develop and market healthier choices. In addition, The Food Trust will work with individual snack food companies to encourage the more even distribution of healthier choices in neighborhood stores.
Healthy Community Stores National Network
The Healthy Corner Stores Network promotes efforts to bring healthier foods into corner stores in low-income and underserved communities nation-wide. Led by the Community Food Security Coalition, The Food Trust, and Public Health Law & Policy, the Healthy Corner Store Network (HCSN) brings together community members, local government staff, nonprofits, funders, and others across the country to share best practices, lessons learned, and new approaches to common challenges.
To learn more about the network, visit www.healthycornerstores.org
*SNACK SMART (R) is a registered trademark and is used under license.