Sheffield’s Market Joins Healthy Corner Store Initiative
Free Snacks, Samples, Coupons and Food Basket Raffle Offered
The Mayor’s Wellness Committee and EZ Ride continue their participation in the NJ Healthy Corner Store Initiative Wednesday.
Free healthy food samples, coupons, a healthy basket raffle, and nutrition education will be offered from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Sheffield’s Market, located at 1106 Bangs Ave.
The initiative was born out of a need to provide those who depend on corner stores as their primary source of obtaining groceries with healthy food options, program organizer Lisa Lee said.
“Many communities do not have large grocery stores within easy walking distance for residents, and the local corner store may serve as a primary destination for food shopping,” Lee said. “The NJ Healthy Corner Store Initiative was launched to support corner store owners committed to increasing the availability of healthy food options in their stores and to encourage customers to make healthier choices. Studies have shown that many kids are now being diagnosed with high cholesterol and Type 2 Diabetes because they are eating unhealthy foods and not getting enough physical exercise. In the past, these chronic diseases were only found in middle aged adults.”
The state program is administered by The Food Trust, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the American Heart Association, and the New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids.
Through a $5,000 grant by the aforementioned, EZ Ride and the Mayor’s Wellness Group have held similar events at La Tapatia on Main Street and Prime Convenience Store on Asbury Avenue. Home Drug Store on Main Street and Dark City Grill on Asbury Avenue are also program participants.
“We have partnered with stores that are located near the elementary and middle schools because we especially want to encourage students to eat healthier,” Lee said. “EZ Ride assists store owners to sell healthier foods by offering training, marketing equipment, financial incentives and the know how to promote healthier food sales.”
For more information, visit www.ezride.org, njhealthycornerstores.heart.org, njymca.org, or thefoodtrust.org.
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