SUPERMARKET STRATEGIES TO ENCOURAGE HEALTHY EATINGthefoodtrust.org/uploads/media_items/supermarket-toolkit.original.pdf · Supermarket Strategies to Encourage Healthy Eating | Introduction

SUPERMARKET STRATEGIES TO ENCOURAGE HEALTHY EATING

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Toolkit Contents This toolkit provides resources for supermarket-based strategies to encourage healthy eating, including in-store marketing, nutrition education, tasting events, supermarket tours, community events and nutrition classes, and outreach to the Food Stamps/SNAP population.

The toolkit is organized into the following 6 sections:

In-Store Marketing

Nutrition Education

Tasting Events

Store Tours

Community Events

SNAP Outreach

Each section includes a tip sheet with corresponding resources and materials for implementation.

Supermarkets can use a variety of tools to provide customers with helpful information to encourage healthy eating, and these strategies can be customized for each supermarket, depending on shoppers’ needs and preferences, and existing resources in the store and local community. Supermarkets can select strategies in this toolkit to provide nutrition guidance for customers in a way that fits their store environment.

Look for the color-coded tabs.

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Supermarket-Based Nutrition StrategiesFollowing is a list of recommended supermarket-based nutrition strategies. Select strategies that are of interest and see toolkit sections for more information.

Checklist Mark all areas of interest. %

In-Store Marketing

Provide ready-to-eat/pre-cut fruits and vegetables/value produce section.

Create promotional shelf space designated for healthier snacks/lunch items.

Use shelf talkers to provide guidance on healthier products at point of sale.

Use shelf space, shelf position, and endcap displays to promote healthy items (e.g., stock more low-fat milk, water, whole grain bread, fruits and vegetables, etc. at eye level).

Maximize customer exposure: stock healthier options in high traffic and high visibility areas such as endcaps and candy-free checkout aisles.

Use promotional strategies such as coupons, contests, and Buy One Get One Free offers on healthier products.

Nutrition Education

Provide print nutrition education materials in a variety of venues (point of purchase, targeted store areas like produce section, during tours or classes).

Provide a variety of consumer-friendly materials such as healthy recipes, information about specific nutrients and/or health conditions, tips for shopping on a budget, and tips for selecting and storing fresh produce.

Tasting Events

Provide in-store tasting events that include bite-sized portions of low-cost, easy to prepare, healthy foods and related materials and promotions.

Store Tours

Coordinate store tours to highlight availability of healthier items.

Provide incentives to tour participants (e.g., shopping bags, gift cards).

Community Events

Offer free nutrition classes to help customers learn to shop for healthier foods. (Topics such as reading food labels, shopping on a budget, shopping for specific health conditions, etc.).

Organize community day events.

Increase publicity for store-based events by involving local media and community leaders.

Participate in community events and health fairs.

SNAP Outreach

Contact the organizations throughout New York that assist families in applying for SNAP.

Contact a nutrition educator who will provide information to customers in your store.

Hang signs and outreach materials about enrolling in the SNAP program on community bulletin boards in your store.

Supermarket: Contact:

Address: Phone:

Introd

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Introduction

According to the New York City Department of City Planning, 3 million city residents lack access to fresh, healthy food near their homes. Inadequate access to fresh food has been linked to poor health outcomes in these neighborhoods, including high rates of obesity and diabetes.

The New York Healthy Food & Healthy Communities Fund (HFHCF) is an innovative financing program, established to facilitate the development of healthy food markets in underserved communities throughout New York. Grocers who participate in the fund can obtain grants and loans for the construction and expansion of stores.

HFHCF is part of New York Governor David A. Paterson’s initiative to promote healthy communities statewide. The Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF), The Reinvestment Fund, and The Food Trust are partnering to meet the financing needs of food markets in underserved communities across the state.

By providing capital and technical assistance to help grocery store operators establish or expand local food markets, HFHCF increases access to healthy foods, creates local jobs, and supports the health and well-being of New Yorkers.

This toolkit, funded by a grant from Goldman Sachs, is designed to complement and reinforce HFHCF’s goal to support the health and well-being of New Yorkers. The toolkit provides resources for grocers and community groups seeking strategies to promote healthy eating.

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Supermarkets and Good Health

Supermarkets are valuable resources to a neighborhood, not only because they provide access to healthy, nutritious food but also because they can be a pivotal connection point in the community. People regularly go grocery shopping, making supermarkets a prime venue to engage and educate the community about healthy eating and nutrition.

Supermarkets are uniquely positioned to help shoppers eat more healthfully, and many shoppers would welcome guidance on choosing and preparing foods to help them stay healthy. A recent report by Catalina Marketing Institute found that 66% of grocery shoppers are looking for ways to improve their health and wellness, and that shoppers are receptive to services to help them make healthy food choices and manage health concerns. However, only half agree that their primary supermarket helps them in these efforts. Just 1 in 4 shoppers feels their supermarket helps them manage their personal health concerns.1

The materials in this toolkit aim to:

1. Provide strategies and resources for supermarkets to encourage and incentivize consumers to make healthy food choices, such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat milk and milk products, lean meats, and healthy snack and beverage choices.

2. Support supermarkets with profitable business strategies for marketing and increasing sales of healthier items.

3. Improve nutrition and shopping patterns by motivating consumers to prepare and consume healthy foods at home.

In-store nutrition related events, such as supermarket tours, cooking demonstrations and food tastings, distribution of recipes and outreach materials help stores showcase healthy products and build demand for nutritious foods. Stores and community partners can use one, or all of the following approaches, to help guide consumers towards healthy purchases.

1 CatalinaMarketingInstitute(2010).HelpingShoppersOvercometheBarrierstoChoosingHealthfulFoods.

In-Store M

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In-Store Marketing

AT A GLANCE• Supermarkets are in a unique position to market nutritious products and increase their appeal and affordability for consumers.

• Many factors influence what consumers buy in a supermarket including supermarket layout, in-store marketing activities and promotions, and the atmosphere of the supermarket.

• Approximately 60% of purchase decisions are made in the supermarket and are unplanned. Marketing tactics employed inside grocery stores have huge potential to help shift families purchases towards healthier options.2

• 50% of shoppers feel that their supermarket helps them make healthful choices. Increasing in-store marketing techniques to promote healthy product lines is a competitive strategy to keep up with the growing consumer demand for nutritious food.3

• Parents rate the grocery store as one of the top places where they are most likely to pay attention to information regarding food and health topics.4

Photo courtesy of Fresh Grocer, Philadelphia

2 LeighMcAlister,BarbaraE.Kahn,GroceryRevolution:TheNewFocusontheConsumer(1997).3 NewGroceryShopperAttitudeStudyRevealsBarrierstoHealthyEatingandLifestyle.CatalinaMarketing.Published:11/01/20104 HelpingShoppersOvercometheBarrierstoChoosingHealthfulFoods.St.Petersburg,FL:CatalinaMarketing,2010, http://info.catalinamarketing.com/files/133/Healthful_Foods_Study.pdf

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WHAT SUPERMARKETS CAN DO• Createaproducesectionthatoffersready-to-eatfruitsandvegetablesand convenient,pre-cutproduceinindividualbags. Pre-cut fruits and vegetables are often the most profitable items in the produce department. Label pre-cut fruits and vegetables with: weight price or unit price; ingredients; package date/expiration date; and packaging location.

• Promotehealthierpreparedfoods,especiallyforkids. Look for opportunities to take best sellers in the prepared food section of the store and make them healthier. For example, the “Kids Corner! Smart Snacks for Healthy Kids” section pioneered by The Fresh Grocer in Philadelphia promotes bestseller healthy snacks such as low-fat yogurt, ready-to-eat fruits and vegetables, and pre-made healthy lunch boxes.

• Implementnutritionguidanceorlabelingprograms. Shelf talkers are an identification system to help consumers recognize healthy products at point of sale.

• Useshelfspace,shelfposition,andendcapdisplaystopromotehealthyitems. Products placed at eye level tend to sell faster, so rearranging shelf space may encourage customers to purchase healthier options. For example, decrease the amount of space used to display whole-fat dairy products, like milk, and increase the amount of space used to display 1% and skim milk.

• Usestorelayouttomaximizecustomerexposuretohealthyandprofitableitems. Placement of products in the store also affects consumer purchases. Place healthy foods in high traffic areas. Consider dedicating space in your store to promote healthier options. Stock an endcap with features products that can be combined to make a healthy lunch for school children or a candy-free checkout aisle that features healthy snacks.

• Usepromotionalstrategiessuchascoupons,contests,andBuyOneGetOneFree offers. Price is one of the top influences on consumer purchasing decisions.

Photo courtesy of Fresh Grocer, Philadelphia

Check out guidelines on choosing healthy

items to promote in your store on the

next page.

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CHOOSING HEALTHY ITEMS TO PROMOTE IN YOUR STOREMarketing and promoting healthier items from your store’s existing inventory are key ways to influence customers’ buying decisions.

Grains

Snacks

Meat, Fish & Poultry

Beverages

Fruits & Vegetables

Dairy

Beans, Nuts& Seeds

• Whole grains are listed as the first ingredient

• Whole grains are not listed as the first ingredient

• Whole grains are not listed as an ingredient

• Fruits, vegetables and snacks with less than 100 calories per package

• Fruits, vegetables and snacks with 100–200 calories per package

• Fruits, vegetables and snacks with over 200 calories per package such as chips, candy or cakes

• Lean cuts of beef and pork and low-fat products such as fish, poultry and eggs

• Dark meat such as steak, ground beef and chicken or turkey with skin

• Processed meats such as bacon, deli meat, ham and sausage

• No sugar added water, fat-free or 1% low-fat milk

• 100% juice, diet drinks, low-fat flavored milk

• Soda, fruit drinks, sweetened iced tea, lemonade

• Fresh fruits and vegetables

• Canned or frozen fruits in 100% juice or light syrup, and vegetables with less than 290mg of sodium

• Canned or frozen fruit in heavy syrup, and vegetables with more than 290mg of sodium

• Non-fat, skim or 1% low-fat milk foods such as milk, yogurt and cheese

• Whole milk foods such as milk, yogurt, cheese and flavored milk

• High-fat milk foods such as cream, butter, ice cream and cream cheese

• No sodium added dry beans, canned fish, nuts, seeds

• Low-sodium (less than 290mg) canned beans, canned fish, nuts, seeds

• High-sodium (more than 290mg) canned beans, canned fish, nuts, seeds

Promote Regularly Promote Occasionally Promote Minimally

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RESOURCES• NewYorkCityDepartmentofHealth&MentalHygiene PhysicalActivityandNutritionProgram NYC DOHMH offers support for healthy bodegas, healthy supermarkets, farmers markets and green carts as well as nutrition education to help you eat well. Visit: www.nyc.gov/health/obesity.

• NewYorkCity’sFRESH(FoodRetailExpansiontoSupportHealth)Program The FRESH program provides zoning and financial incentives to promote the establishment and retention of neighborhood grocery stores in underserved communities throughout the five boroughs. The FRESH program is open to grocery store operators renovating existing retail space or developers seeking to construct or renovate retail space that will be leased by a full-line grocery store operator. Stores that benefit from the program must fall within designated FRESH-eligible areas and provide at least 30% of retail space for perishable goods (dairy, fresh produce, fresh meats, poultry, fish and frozen foods) and at least 500 square feet of retail space for fresh produce. For additional FRESH program details and application information, visit: www.nyc.gov/fresh or email [email protected].

• NewYorkHealthyFood&HealthyCommunitiesFund Grocery store operators and developers in underserved communities may be eligible to apply for pre-development grants and loans, acquisition loans, equipment financing, and construction and permanent loans through the New York Healthy Food & Healthy Communities Fund. Visit: http://www.liifund.org/programs/healthy-food.

Nutritio

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Nutrition Education

AT A GLANCE• 89% of Americans are concerned about the nutritional content of their food intake.5 The food industry has a chance to take a leadership role on health and wellness.

• Shoppers are interested in the amount of fat, calories, whole grain and sodium in their foods.

• Nutrition education print materials provide guidance to shoppers on selecting and preparing healthy foods.

• Nutrition education materials can also provide information about specific nutrients (fiber, sodium, calcium, etc.), health conditions (diabetes, high blood pressure), shopping tips on a budget, feeding families and selecting and storing fresh produce.

5FoodMarketingInstitute(2009).USGroceryShoppingTRENDS,2009.

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WHAT SUPERMARKETS CAN DO• Provideprintnutritioneducationmaterialsinavarietyofvenuesthroughoutthe store. Offer materials at point of purchase, in targeted store areas (like produce section or specialty food isles), during supermarket tours or nutrition or cooking classes and electronically through website and coupon promotions.

• Provideavarietyofconsumer-friendlymaterials. Types of materials include healthy recipes and information about specific nutrients (about fiber, sodium, calcium, etc.), health conditions (diabetes, high blood pressure), shopping on a budget, feeding families and children, and selecting and storing fresh produce. (For details, see “Resources” and sample materials that follow this tip sheet).

• Offertoursandclassestoprovidemorein-depth,hands-oninformationabout nutritionandhealthierselections. Tours and classes are opportunities to promote selections in the store as well as to provide nutrition education. Topics can include how to read food labels, shopping on a budget, how to choose nutrient-specific products (low-sodium, low-fat, high-fiber, gluten-free, etc.), how to shop for specific health conditions (diabetes, high blood pressure, overweight, gluten-sensitive). Classes are best facilitated by a Registered Dietitian (RD), licensed nutritionist, or other qualified health educator. (See tip sheets on Store Tours and Community Events for details).

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RESOURCESGeneral Nutrition Information• MyPlateConsumerMessagesandHandouts: Information guides consumers towards healthy food choices through key strategies such as Balancing Calories, Foods to Increase, and Foods to Reduce. http://www.choosemyplate.gov/downloads/MyPlate/SelectedMessages.pdf http://www.choosemyplate.gov/downloads/MyPlate/DG2010Brochure.pdf http://www.choosemyplate.gov/sp-index.html (MyPlate in Spanish)

• The2010DietaryGuidelinesforAmericans: Science-based advice on food and physical activity choices for health. http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/dietaryguidelines.htm

• YourGuidetoLoweringYourBloodPressurewithDASH: Pages 16–21 and 45–56. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/hbp/dash/new_dash.pdf

• EatSmartNewYorknutritioneducators in counties across the state: http://www.otda.state.ny.us/main/programs/nutrition/contacts.asp.

• NutritioneducationresourcesinNewYorkCity: Cornell Cooperative Extension of NYC Carol Parker-Duncanson, ESNY Coordinator 40 East 34th Street, Suite 606 New York, NY 10016-4328 (212) 340-2922 [email protected]

Food Bank for New York City, Food For Survival Triada Stampas 39 Broadway; 10th Floor New York, New York 10006 (212) 894-8078 [email protected]

• TheNewYorkCityNutritionEducationNetwork is dedicated to educating and supporting a network of members who seek to improve the food and nutrition environment for a healthier New York City. Visit: www.nycnen.org.

• TheNewYorkStateDieteticAssociation is the advocate of the dietetic profession, serving the public through the promotion of optimal nutrition, health, and well being in the state. Visit: www.eatrightny.org and www.eatright.org/programs/rdfinder/ to find a nutrition professional in your area.

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RESOURCESMoney-Saving Tips for Health Eating• AHealthierYou—MyMoney-SavingTips: DHHS, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Money saving tips before going to the store, at the store, and later at home to help healthy eating fit into your lifestyle and budget. http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2005/healthieryou/html/tips_money_ saving.html

• 30Waysin30DaystoStretchYourFruit&VegetableBudget: DHHS, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A tip a day to help you stretch your fruit and vegetable budget for National Fruits & Veggies—More Matters® Month. http://www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov/downloads/Stretch_FV_Budget.pdf

• FamilyFoodShopping:SpendLess,GetMore: USDA, Food and Nutrition Service. Suggestions for deciding what to buy, figuring out food costs, finding ways to spend less, and smart shopping tips. http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/Resources/Nibbles/family_shop.pdf

Resources for Recipes• SNAPEducationprogramoftheU.S.DepartmentofAgriculture: This recipe finder tool for the public provides a database of recipes submitted by nutrition and health professionals and organizations around the country. The database can be searched by many criteria, including ingredient, recipe name, nutrition education topic, target audience, recipe cost, and more. http://recipefinder.nal.usda.gov/

Tasting E

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Tasting Events

AT A GLANCE• 67% of shoppers say that in-store sampling has influenced the purchase of a food item bought for the first time.

• Tasting events can help increase sales of specific foods or products.

• Tasting events should highlight healthy foods that are available in stores, and provide customers with the opportunity to try new foods and explore ways of preparing these foods.

• Tasting events should be accompanied by take-home materials such as recipes and children’s activity sheets, as well as by in-store coupons promoting the highlighted foods.

• Taste test events can be organized around a monthly featured food category or theme (e.g., seasonal fruits, local vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy).

Supermarket-based tasting event (see Fruit Pizza recipe on next page)

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WHAT SUPERMARKETS CAN DO• Providein-storetastingeventsthatinclude: · Bite-sized portions of low-cost, easy to prepare, healthy foods. · Displays of the featured food category or food product. · Handouts with recipes for adults. · Take-home activity sheets for children (such as coloring pages and puzzles). · Store coupons that discount featured foods. · Public service announcements (over store intercom) to promote the event and topic.

• Takesafetyprecautionsduringin-storetastingevents: · Be sure display/tasting space allows shoppers to see and participate, but not interfere with traffic flow. · Be sure all ingredient information is easily available for shoppers needing food allergy information before tasting.

Fruit Pizza

Veggie Pizza

Try these recipes in your store!

Crust:Graham crackers, rice cakes, whole wheat crackers, tortillas or pita bread

Spread:Low-fat cream cheese

Toppings:Blueberries, strawberries, kiwi, orange slices or any fruit!

Crust:Whole wheat pita bread, tortillas or crackers

Spread:Low-fat cream cheese, hummus or other bean spread

Toppings:Chopped bell peppers, cucumbers, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, tomatoes, olives or your favorite veggies!

Directions:Spread your choice of topping on your choice of crust. Top it with your favorite veggies and enjoy! For more flavor, sprinkle garlic powder, onion powder, dill, parsley or other spices on top of the spread before adding the veggies.

Directions:Put spread on your choice of crust. Top it with your choice of fruit. Sprinkle with cinnamon, if you like. Enjoy!

Makes a great dessert or snack for the whole family!

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RESOURCES• ThePennsylvaniaStateNutritionActionCommittee“VEGETABLE”campaign: This campaign aims to increase vegetable intake with emphasis on locally grown produce. The campaign provides free materials (newsletter inserts, bookmarks, flyers, table tents, recipes, and shopping guides) for 18 feature vegetables, including nutrition and health benefits, educational activities and how to grow, select, and prepare each vegetable. http://www.panen.org/s.n.a.c

• “SmartPicks:SmartChoicesintheGroceryStore”: This supermarket-based nutrition education project, from Virginia Cooperative Extension, consists of six planned grocery store events on different nutrition topics. The events feature a bite-sized portion of a new recipe or food, handouts for adults and children, tabletop displays, and posters. Smart Choices themes are: Focus on Fruit; Vary Your Veggies; Increasing Whole Grains; Getting Your Calcium; Think Your Drink; and Reducing Sodium. http://www.nal.usda.gov/foodstamp/pdf/SmartChoices.pdf http://snap.nal.usda.gov/foodstamp/resource_finder_details.php?id=358

• SNAP-EdConnectionResourceFinder: This database of innovative materials was created by SNAP-Ed providers, federal, state and local governments, nutrition organizations and businesses. While some resources and materials are copyright protected, many resources may be copied for use in nutrition education settings, including supermarkets. http://www.nal.usda.gov/fsn/resource_finder_basic_search.php

Children tasting fruit pizza and supermarket shopper buying ingredients to make fruit pizza recipe.

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Store Tours

AT A GLANCE• Store tours are an excellent way to help guide shoppers towards the purchase of healthy foods.

• Shoppers also can learn to save money by comparing unit prices, and make healthier choices by learning how to read food labels and ingredient lists, and how to navigate product claims made on packaging.

• Tours can be designed for specific community members, such as seniors, youth, or parents with young children.

• Providing incentives like re-useable store-branded shopping bags, store coupons, store gift cards, free trial products from manufacturers or distributors can increase tour participation and provide store promotion at the same time. (Local media outlets — radio and local newspapers — are often interested to provide this information as a community service).

• Other community-based health and fitness organizations may be interested in partnering with supermarkets to conduct cooking demonstrations and nutrition counseling in-store. (A qualified health professional should be contacted to provide nutrition counseling.)

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WHAT SUPERMARKETS CAN DO• Coordinatestoretoursthathighlightavailabilityofhealthieritems. Store tours are an opportunity to market your store and to strengthen customer relations. Partner with local organizations and schools to plan store tour events and to recruit participants from the nearby community.

• Provideincentivessuchasshoppingbagsandgiftcardstostoretourparticipants. Store tours are public relations opportunities. They help strengthen existing relationships with current customers and expand customer base by reaching new one. Keep them coming back!

• Contactanutritioneducatorwhowillprovideinformationtocustomersinyourstore. If your store needs support to lead tours, contact local Registered Dietitians (RD), licensed nutritionists, other qualified health educators or County Cooperative Extension Agents in your community to inquire about providing healthy supermarket tours.

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RESOURCES• TheTeamNutrition“GroceryStoreTreasureHunt” is a fun activity to identify healthier items in the supermarket. A hard copy of the activity sheet follows and is available for download (see page 10). http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/Resources/teamupbooklet.pdf

• ShoppingMatters™, a program of Share Our Strength, is an interactive guided grocery store tour that helps low-income adults make healthy and affordable choices at the supermarket. Visit www.shoppingmatters.org for information on availability of local tour facilitators. (See one page description).

• TheProduceforBetterHealth(PBH)“GuidetoGivingSchoolTours” is a tool for conducting store tours with young people. A hard copy follows this tip sheet and the full activity is available for download. http://www.pbhfoundation.org/pdfs/retail/partners/retailers/retailmembers/ School_tour_kit/SchoolTour.pdf

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Community Events

AT A GLANCE• Community outreach activities are public relations opportunities. They provide marketing opportunities for supermarkets and help stores fulfill their goals of giving back to the community.

• In addition to supermarket tours and taste tests, stores can participate in outreach activities to promote healthy eating, such as nutrition classes, community day events or health fairs.

• Relationships with local community groups such as nearby senior centers, faith institutions, residential and office buildings, health clinics, YMCA’s, libraries, and youth groups are mutually beneficial. Supermarkets can serve as sponsors and provide healthy foods for local events and health fairs, and community groups support supermarkets by distributing information about store-based events and in general by expanding marketing and business opportunities.

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WHAT SUPERMARKETS CAN DO• Providefreenutritionclasses. Consider offering one or more nutrition classes to help customers learn to shop for healthier foods. Nutrition classes can be geared to adults or young people, and can be combined with supermarket tours. Classes are best facilitated by a registered dietitian, nutrition educator, health educator, or trained supermarket employee (see Resources section on next page).

• Organizecommunitydays. Community days are public relations opportunities. Combine community day events with other in-store activities. Plan supermarket tours, taste test activities and other promotions and giveaways to draw customers into the store on community days. Prior to the event, distribute coupons that can be redeemed on the date of the community day. Coupons can be provided to customers at checkout counters and through local organizations.

• Increasepublicityforstore-basedeventsbyinvolvinglocalmediaandcommunity leaders. Contact press outlets and send press releases in advance of the event. Invite reporters to attend and cover the event. Personally invite community leaders and health organizations to attend and participate in the event, and request their assistance in promoting the event.

• Participateinothercommunityeventsandhealthfairs. In order to establish relationships in the community, supermarkets can serve as local sponsors for health- related events and provide healthy foods and beverages for community groups.

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RESOURCES• A list of EatSmartNewYorknutritioneducators in counties across the state follows this tip sheet and is available at: http://www.otda.state.ny.us/main/programs/nutrition/contacts.asp.

NewYorkCitycontacts: Cornell Cooperative Extension of NYC Carol Parker-Duncanson, ESNY Coordinator 40 East 34th Street, Suite 606 New York, NY 10016-4328 (212) 340-2922 [email protected]


• NewYorkStateDepartmentofHealthcoordinates the state-wide “Just Say Yes to Fruits and Vegetables” campaign. Call (518) 408-0407 for resources and more information.

• NewYorkCityNutritionEducationNetwork is dedicated to educating and supporting a network of members who seek to improve the food and nutrition environment for a healthier New York City. Visit: www.nycnen.org.

• NewYorkStateDieteticAssociation is the advocate of the dietetic profession, serving the public through the promotion of optimal nutrition, health, and well being in the state. Visit: www.eatrightny.org and www.eatright.org/programs/rdfinder/ to find a nutrition professional in your area.

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SNAP Outreach

AT A GLANCE• 1.7 million NYC residents participate in the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formally known as the Food Stamp Program.

• SNAP dollars benefit communities and food retail businesses by generating economic activity and keeping dollars flowing into local economies. In New York City alone, $280 million in SNAP benefits are distributed each month.

• Many low-income people who are eligible for the program do not participate (mainly because they don’t know they’re eligible) and forego assistance to supplement their food dollars at the grocery store.

• New York State has worked to improve access to the program by shortening the application, simplifying the application process, and working with community-based organizations to facilitate electronic applications.

• Outreach can happen at any community site, including supermarkets, by posting or handing out materials, or providing onsite prescreening for SNAP eligibility.

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WHAT SUPERMARKETS CAN DO• ContacttheorganizationsthroughoutNewYorkthatassistfamiliesinapplyingfor SNAP. These organizations provide pre-screenings for SNAP eligibility at community sites such as supermarkets.

• Contactanutritioneducatorwhowillprovideinformationtocustomersinyourstore. New York City contacts are included in the Resources section on the next page, and an expanded list of Eat Smart New York contacts in counties across the state follows this tip sheet.

• HangsignsandoutreachmaterialsaboutenrollingintheSNAPprogramon communitybulletinboardsinyourstore. SNAP outreach and nutrition education materials are designed to educate low income people about the nutrition benefits of SNAP and to encourage participation.

• EnsurethatSNAPrecipientscanparticipatewithdignityandrespect.

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RESOURCES• For a list of organizationsthatassistSNAPapplicants in your county, visit: http://www.ny-noep.info/. Alternatively, New York residents can apply online for SNAP benefits at: myBenefits.ny.gov. After a preliminary application is submitted online, the local county SNAP office reviews it, conducts an interview, and determines eligibility.

• For a list of nutritioneducators in counties across the state, visit: http://www.otda.state.ny.us/main/programs/nutrition/contacts.asp.

NewYorkCitycontacts: Cornell Cooperative Extension of NYC Carol Parker-Duncanson, ESNY Coordinator 40 East 34th Street, Suite 606 New York, NY 10016-4328 (212) 340-2922 [email protected]


• Samples of these NewYorkStateSNAPoutreachmaterials follow this tip sheet: · Food Stamps for Working Families (English) · Food Stamps for Working Families (Spanish) · Every Day, Seniors Just Like You Get Food Stamps (English) · Every Day, Seniors Just Like You Get Food Stamps (Spanish) · Food Stamps for Immigrants (2-sided English & Spanish)

To order additional copies and other free SNAP outreach posters, brochures and other materials in multiple languages, visit: http://otda.ny.gov/programs/food-stamps/ outreach.asp and http://otda.ny.gov/programs/publications/.

The Supermarket Strategies to Encourage Healthy Eating toolkit was developed by The Food Trust to complement the New York Healthy Food & Healthy Communities (HFHC) Fund. The HFHC Fund is an innovative public-private partnership that provides capital financing for food markets located in underserved communities statewide. The HFHC Fund is administered by the Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF) along with its food access partner, The Food Trust. Funding for the program is provided by a grant from Empire State Development and lending capital and other support from Goldman Sachs Urban Investment Group and the New York State Health Foundation.

Support for this project is provided by The Goldman Sachs Urban Investment Group (UIG). UIG was founded in 2000 and it deploys the firm’s capital in traditionally underserved markets to grow businesses, create mixed-income housing, and revitalize neighborhoods. Through investments, loans, grants, and service initiatives, UIG seeks to help transform distressed communities into sustainable and vibrant neighborhoods of choice and opportunity.

The Food Trust thanks Karp Resources for reviewing the toolkit and implementing activities in pilot stores in New York City.

thefoodtrust.org

SUPERMARKET STRATEGIES TO ENCOURAGE HEALTHY EATINGthefoodtrust.org/uploads/media_items/supermarket-toolkit.original.pdf · Supermarket Strategies to Encourage Healthy Eating | Introduction

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