In January the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service released the latest update of SNAP-Ed Strategies & Interventions: An Obesity Prevention Toolkit for States, commonly known as the SNAP-Ed Toolkit. The Toolkit is designed to help SNAP-Ed implementing agencies identify evidence-based and emerging intervention programs and strategies to help low-resource residents achieve healthy lifestyles and prevent certain chronic diseases. Choosing to implement evidence-based and emerging interventions ensures the greatest return on investment of public funds.
The Center for Wellness and Nutrition (CWN) is proud to announce that the Healthy Retail Recognition Pilot is featured as an emerging intervention in the new SNAP-Ed Toolkit. CWN staff developed and implemented the pilot through a contract with the California Department of Public Health in partnership with the local health departments of Los Angeles and Santa Clara counties. The pilot explored the effectiveness of a program to motivate and enable small, independent retail stores in low-income areas to identify and achieve changes to their store that increase the community’s access to healthy food. Participating retailers would receive a program decal to provide recognition to the business owners and serve as a cue for consumers to easily identify stores that stock healthier foods and beverages.
CWN staff is available to answer any questions you may have about the pilot and can even provide assistance in implementing a Healthy Retail Recognition Program in your communities. For more information, contact [email protected].
