Remaking supermarkets to encourage healthy diets
Irma Widjojo | 12-21-2009 | Comments |
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Ignacio Coronado’s neighborhood supermarket underwent its first facelift in 13 years in summer of 2007, thanks to an organization whose mission it is to convince markets to stock their shelves with more produce and healthy eating options.The owner of the Coronado Meat Market & Bakery on Avalon Boulevard and 42nd Place was aided in his efforts by the Healthy Eating Active Communities housed at the Accelerated School near the Coronado market.
The Healthy Eating program, funded by the California Endowment, a private health foundation, aims to help residents living in the Accelerated School area to embrace better eating options by convincing local supermarkets to restock their shelves with healthier foods and by displaying healthy foods more prominently in store displays.
The program is one of several in greater Los Angeles designed to improve the diets of urban poor and working-class families. A U.S. Department of Agriculture program, in conjunction with Los Angeles Unified School District, sends chefs into schools to teach educators the value of healthy eating; teachers, in turn, teach their students. One South Los Angeles school, James A. Foshay Learning Center, became the first in the district this fall to introduce a new payment system in its cafeteria. In using students’ fingerprints to pay for lunch, school officials hope to remove the stigma of the free lunch program and encourage students to eat better from a choice of healthier foods. The programs are seen as first steps in improving the diets of students and their parents.
Fewer fast-food restaurants
But the Healthy Eating program also receives help from students at the Accelerated School. The students were part of a campaign that successfully convinced the Los Angeles City Council to pass a widely-reported moratorium in July 2008 on new fast food restaurants to be built within a 32-square mile area that includes West Adams, Baldwin Village and Leimert Park.
“The students gave presentations in front of the city committee, showing them the importance of limiting the number of fast food restaurants in the area,” said Aurora Flores, HEAC’s project coordinator.
The students and the Healthy Eating group had support from local media. Of the 900 restaurants in South Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Times reported in 2007, nearly half, or 45 percent, were fast-foot outlets.
“We chose The Accelerated School because of its location,” Flores said. “South LA is a food desert and there is a lack of fresh food outlets.”
The program’s most tangible impact is its program, Market Makeovers, which does just that. Program representatives educate local “mom and pop” stores about the importance of fresh produce and product placements, as well as renovating the exterior and interior of the stores.
Coronado said his store’s makeover has not only given him a new understanding of a healthier lifestyle, but it has also helped his business. “By moving all of the fresh produce to the front where people can see them, we now make money of it,” he said.
Milk replaces soft drinks
He also added that there is a 10 percent increase in sale of fresh produce since he now has new customers coming in to buy the fresh products, which has made fresh produce half of his business.
“A lot of stores [in the area] don’t offer fresh produce,” Coronado said. “Now, I like to have it because it is better for me and the community.”
Fresh produce isn’t the only item moved to the front of the store. Milk has replaced soda in the refrigerator near the cash register, and chips have been moved to the back of the store.
“I’m happy and thankful that they have come and do the makeover,” Coronado said. “I’m going to stick with it for a while.”
However, not everyone had such success through their makeover.
Los Compadres, the second store that agreed to undergo a Market Makeover, hasn’t continued with the recommendations.
“One reason is the economic downturn,” said Flores, the Healthy Eating program coordinator. “It did not help the owner to order more produce than what he’s selling. So, he is not keeping up with the things that were taught to him.”
This hasn’t stopped the team from continuing its sometimes uphill quest to create a healthier community. They’re still in process of working with another local store.
Maintaining the program
The benefits have been numerous for a neighborhood not used to fresh vegetables and fruit. “I’m more aware of what I’m eating right now,” said Britanni Marie Dighero, 17. “I look at the nutritional labels before eating or buying food from the store.”
The students have also brought their knowledge back home.
“A member has helped her mom lost 60 pounds from the knowledge she gained in the program,” said Sharlene Gozalians, former youth coordinator for the Healthy Eating program.
“I try to tell my brother to eat more healthy, things like fruit instead of junk food,” said Jessica Orellana, 17, a student member of the Healthy Eating group.
The program began in June 2005 and ends in June 2010, after a one-year extension. For all of its promise, and its limited success to date, the Healthy Eating program has another goal beyond improving the eating habits of South Los Angelenos.
“Right now our biggest goal is sustainability,” said Flores, the program’s coordinator. “We want to still make sure that people are committed to support all of the changes that were made. We don’t want all this work to dissipate.”
Photo credit: Creative Commons
Tags: california endowment coronado meat market & bakery. eating well healthy eating active communities south los angeles the accelerated school