Increasing community access to healthy foods: Scalability and sustainability of the corner store makeover approach

Introduction: For several years, Youth Leadership Institute (YLI) has engaged youth and adults in corner store makeovers in Fresno and San Mateo counties to increase community access to healthy foods, particularly in "food desert" areas where residents purchase much of their food at corner stores that primarily sell alcohol, soda, and high calorie snack foods. Store makeovers include a process of action research; storeowner outreach; partnerships with farmers, businesses, and agencies; media outreach; and widespread community engagement. Outcomes include increases in fresh produce sales, increases in sales of healthy foods, maintenance and expansion of changes, and community recognition of the store owner.

Methods: YLI researchers: 1) observed and documented three store makeovers; 2) are current interviewing youth and adults involved in store makeovers; and 3) are reviewing results from previous makeovers across the country to identify policies and practices that promote sustainability of outcomes.

Results: This presentation will: 1) present key implementation steps, identify challenges, successes, and lessons learned, and uncover how store makeovers are implemented to fit with community needs and culture; 2) identify essential components of a store makeover model that may be scaled to differing funding levels; and 3) identify policies and practices that may improve the sustainability of outcomes achieved through the store makeover approach.

Discussion: While the store makeover approach has become increasingly popular across the country in recent years, much more information is needed about its effectiveness and economic viability for both funders and store owners, as well as whether changes are sustainable.