Around the corner to better health: Cultivating healthy corner stores in milwaukee

The Lindsay Heights Healthy Corner Store Initiative (HCSI) of Milwaukee is a collaborative project that aims to increase access to fresh foods by helping corner stores sell high quality produce in a Milwaukee urban neighborhood. Launched in 2011, the HCSI was formed by a small group of community members in partnership with the Lindsay Heights Neighborhood Health Alliance, Walnut Way Conservation Corp., and Alice's Garden. Partners now include the Medical College of Wisconsin and the Milwaukee Health Department for research, evaluation and policy development. The project aims to promote the business of local corner stores while encouraging the consumption and sales of reasonably priced local fruits and vegetables. Current demonstration activities take a multifaceted approach to improving healthy food access by: 1) building relationships with store owners, 2) supporting businesses in purchasing equipment to stock fresh produce, 3) connecting stores with fresh produce sources, and 4) conducting community outreach and marketing. It also emphasizes the participation of community youth in growing produce for the corner stores and engaging in community outreach and food demonstrations. Ultimately, the Healthy Corner Store initiative encourages youth to use their new experience and perspective to transform their eating habits and to influence the eating habits of those around them. Creating an evaluation plan to effectively measure outcomes has been critical for the project. Lessons learned have included addressing issues such as infrastructure costs, cooperation with property owners, the importance of neighborhood standards, and local policies and regulations affecting business practices.