The Healthy Corner Store Initiative is facilitated by the Prince George’s County Health Department and led by a multi-stakeholder Steering Committee, including the Prince George’s County Food Equity Council. The Healthy Corner Store Initiative is designed to increase the quality and availability of healthy food at locally owned businesses in Healthy Food Priority Areas. It is a strategy to address food insecurity and healthy food access in the county and is particularly timely given the COVID-19 pandemic that has further exacerbated existing health disparities experienced by our most vulnerable residents.  Adding healthier food options to more stores in our communities will improve the health and well-being of the residents, as well as provide an economic benefit for participating businesses. Currently, the Steering Committee is working with the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission’s Planning Assistance to Municipalities and Communities as a technical assistance grantee to produce a user-friendly toolkit for corner store owners that want to offer healthier foods. 

For more information on this work, please email info@juliag6.sg-host.com.