Multnomah County Health Department

Healthy Retail Initiative: Good for Business, Good for Health

October 10, 2011 Oregon Public Health Association Conference

Suzanne Briggs – Technical Assistant Coordinator Ben Escalante – Community Health SpecialistYugen Rashad – Community Health Specialist

What is the Healthy Retail Initiative?

Multnomah County Goal: Promote voluntary actions to increase healthy products to underserved communities.

Components: Community Engagement Social Marketing Campaign Technical Assistance Workshops Mini-Grant Programs

Social Marketing Campaign to Identify Healthy Products

Social Marketing Campaign to Identify Stores in the Network

History of Healthy Retail Initiative

North Portland HEAL Coalition Structured Observations and Interviews

(Portland State University) Parent Volunteer Observations

(Cesar Chavez School K-8) Obesity and Overweight Epidemic

Addressing Underserved Populations in Communities with Limited Access to Healthy Foods

Key Findings from HEAL Observations

# Shelves for food items in 4 Latino-owned corner stores

0 5 10 15 20

Fruit/Veggie

Healthy Snacks

Candy

Soda

Number of Shelves

Existing infrastructure for selling food in 4 Latino-owned corner stores

0 1 2 3 4 5

WIC Certified

EBT Machines

Air Conditioning

Good Refrigeration-Produce

Good Refrigeration-Meat and Dairy

Number of Stores

Types of beverages sold in 4 Latino-owned corner stores

0 1 2 3 4 5

Soda

Boing

Unflavored Water

Whole Milk

1% or Fat Free Milk

Number of Stores

Types of fresh fruits & vegetables sold in 4 Latino-owned corner stores

0 1 2 3 4

Mango

Apple

Banana

Lettuce

Lemon

Avocado

Number of Stores

Key Findings from Interviews Latino Owners identified 3 major barriers

1. Alternative sourcing for affordable produce

a. Minimum order requirement

b. Smaller orders are often penalized with a higher price

2. Lack of proper refrigeration limits expansion of offerings

3. Interest in becoming certified to be a WIC vendor, requiring shelving and freezers

History of Healthy Retail Initiative

ACHIEVE Partnership Members

Albina Ministerial Alliance Urban League of Portland Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon African American Health Coalition African Women Coalition Highland Haven

Key Findings from ACHIEVE Observations

Stores accepting WIC vouchers 0%

Stores accepting SNAP 69%

Stores advertizing SNAP 13%

Stores with all products priced 38%

Stores with shelf talkers 31%

Apples, Onions, Potatoes, Carrots, Bananas or Oranges

25%

Any other fresh produce 6%

Why Become a Healthy Retail Network Member?

1. Customers want healthy options in the places where they shop.

2. Get help buying fresh fruits and vegetables at competitive prices

3. Learn how to apply for WIC and SNAP certifications.

4. Receive technical assistance from experienced grocers on store layout, merchandising, and in-house promotions

5. Participate in Healthy Options Here marketing campaign

6. Learn about store improvement mini-grants.

7. Network with other retail stores committed to providing healthy options.

Healthy Retail Network Technical Assistance Topics

How to become a WIC Certified Store Purchasing and Installing Refrigerators and Freezers How to Prepare and Sell Produce Determining Healthy Options: Reading Food Labels

How we will build the Network Organizing Workshops Consulting Individual Store Owners Creating Peer to Peer Learning Opportunities

Healthy Retail Initiative Websites:

Health Retail Initiative

http://www.multco-itstartshere.org/news/healthy-retail-initiative-promotes-communitybusiness-win-win

Healthy Retail Initiative Toolkit and Grants

http://www.multco-itstartshere.org/links-and-resources/healthy-retail-initiative-toolkit