Public Health Institute (PHI) Center for Wellness and Nutrition (CWN) has been awarded Sacramento County’s SNAP-Ed (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education) Retail Engagement and Partnerships Grant though a competitive process. Studies show the majority of shoppers’ food purchasing decisions are made in the store, but identifying healthy choices can be challenging for many shoppers. Engaging retailers in nutrition education and obesity prevention efforts is critical to influencing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program shoppers’ dietary behavior. By promoting healthy choices, retailers can simultaneously increase sales of healthy items, improve customer loyalty, and promote community wellness and vitality.
Beginning October 1, 2016, CWN will partner with large and small food retailers in low-resource communities in Sacramento County to implement strategies designed to encourage the purchase of healthy foods, especially locally grown fruits and vegetables. In particular, CWN will partner with small- to medium-sized independent retailers to participate in a Healthy Retail Recognition Program, which engages and motivates retailers to make healthy changes to their store by providing incentives and assistance. In 2014, CWN staff designed a model SNAP-Ed Healthy Retail Recognition Pilot Program in California and conducted formative research in the Los Angles and Santa Clara counties through partnerships with the local public health departments. This model program is now included in the SNAP-Ed Toolkit for States, and will be tailored to meet local needs in Sacramento, California. For more information about this project, please contact Amy DeLisio.
