thinking outside the big box: strategies for healthy food retail

Community Food Security Coalition ConferenceNovember 6, 2011

Brahm Ahmadi, People’s Community MarketHeather Wooten, Public Health Law & Policy

Sabrina Wu, HOPE Collaborative

Thinking outside the Big Box: Strategies for Healthy Food Retail

• Welcome and presenter intros• Icebreaker• Overview and framing of issue• Policies for healthy food retail• Values-based food retail• Small group exercise• Small group reportbacks• Closing and evaluations

Agenda

Icebreaker

• Name• Organization or where

you are from• What interests you

about this topic?

Access vs. Values?

Thinking

Outside the Big Box

Heather Wooten, MCPThis material cannot be copied or reproduced without permission. ©2011

Policiesfor

Grocery

market forces public policy

“food landscape”+ =

3 key ways policies work:

Require Incentivize Restrict

REQUIRECondition neighborhood markets (convenience stores) at the time of development review to incorporate the sale of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Watsonville, CA

Buildings containing fresh food markets are allowed one additional square foot of floor area for each square foot of fresh food market floor area included within the building

PHILADELPHIA, PA (DRAFT)

INCENTIVIZE

The first 10,000 sq. ft. of floor area in a fresh food market is exempt from minimum off-street parking requirements.

PHILADELPHIA, PA (DRAFT)

INCENTIVIZE

RESTRICT…proposal will not adversely

affect adjacent or nearby public parks or schools

OAKLAND, CA

VS.public resources

community benefit

FinancingTax incentivesPlanning & zoningSite/location assistance

Public resources:

Local hire policyLiving wage policyLabor lawsStocking requirementsEBT/WIC

Community benefit:

Tools & Resources

Disclaimer

The information provided in this seminar is for informational purposes only, and does not constitute legal advice. Public Health Law & Policy does not enter into attorney-client relationships.

The primary purpose of this training is to address legal and/or policy options to improve public health. There is no intent to reflect a view on specific legislation. PHLP incorporates objective non-partisan analysis, study, and research in all our work.

©2011

Heather Wooten, MCPhwooten@phlpnet.org

www.phlpnet.org

Mobile Market

Produce Stands

Grub Box CSA

$58,000,000Annually

Demand Served Demand Unserved

West Oakland Grocery Demand

70%

=$40.6M

•Central and accessible•Broad & diverse selection•Targeted offerings•Affordable prices•Fresh & quality foods•Prepared foods•Gathering & social space•Health services & supports

Customer Needs

•High development costs•Employee turnover•Product shrinkage•Limited customization•Limited engagement

Barriers forSupermarket Chains

New business models are needed

•Lower development costs•Fit to purchasing patterns•Fit to real estate limitations

•Full-line product assortment•40% of items of supermarkets•Semi-outdoor patio and stage

•Fresh produce•Perishables •Ethnic foods

Signature Offerings

•Volume sourcing•Direct purchasing•Affordable prices

•Full service deli•Targeted menu•Ethnic dishes•Sunday BBQ

•Enhances and attracts•Sales and margin growth

•Great experiences•Positive social space•Events & entertainment•Services and education

Enhances value proposition

•3,500 sq ft semi-outdoor •Patio & seating•Stage and play area•Evening service window

James Hooks•Only Black owned

supermarket in Detroit•27 years in operation•Community relationships•Innovator in health

supports and services

•Earn Points on healthy products •Discounts on healthy products•Targeted coupons and special offers•Personalized customer reports•Measure progress on annual goals

Jeff Brown

•7 of 11 store in underserved areas

•Opens where no one will•Top performing grocer•Customized product mixes•Partnerships & programs

Direct and volume procurement

Small group exercise

Goals:1. Create full-service food retail in underserved

areas with high health, sustainability, and labor standards

2. Increase demand for “good food,” which is more expensive, among low-income consumers

3. Support start-up and long-term financial sustainability of locally owned, community-based food retail that appropriately serves low-income communities

Small group questions

1. What policies or other tools do you already know of that deal with this issue, if any?

2. How effective are these strategies? Where do they fall short?

3. How would you propose to revise them to better achieve the goal? Or what are some better solutions?

4. How would you engage the community—or how are they already engaged—in the recommendations you are proposing?

Thank you!