Youth and resident mobilization in partnering with Smart & Final and corner stores to advocate for healthy food positioning and healthy marketing in Baldwin Park

Background/Introduction: The retail environment that children and youth experience is saturated with marketing for products high in sugar, salt and sodium that negatively affect balanced eating. Engaging youth advocates in policy advocacy is a powerful way to share their unique perspective and secure buy in from a broad range of community stakeholders. The following abstract will inform participants about how youth and residents in collaboration with HEAC Baldwin Park bridged relations with Smart & Final to develop healthy marketing practices to promote the consumption of fruits and vegetables.

Purpose: To develop a grassroots advocacy model to gather local data, community perspectives and advocacy for increased healthy food access and reduction of unhealthy marketing in communities.

Methods: Residents and youth conducted marketing audits and Photovoice in corner stores and chain stores such as Smart & Final to discover the quality, promotion and access to healthy foods and beverages.

Findings: Marketing audits identified the lack of positioning of fruits and vegetables in the front of the store, direct marketing for highly sweetened snacks and beverages and lack of healthy food promotions in store. Data provided basis for collaborating with Smart & Final to develop a healthy floor plan, youth designed logo/signage to promote SB12/965 compliant snacks and the momentum to work with local policymakers to provide signage and incentives to corner stores to promote healthy food. The process allowed Smart & Final to see the unique opportunity to make a significant contribution in Baldwin Park by providing a healthier market environment.