Driving through the Glades agricultural community and its 500,000 acres of fertile farmland, it’s hard to believe an area so rich in produce could be a food desert for low-income residents. Understanding the complexities that make accessing and consuming healthy fruits and vegetables a challenge begins with going to the heart of the matter—the residents themselves. Their insight has led the way for “The Healthy Corner Store,” a concept launched by United Way of Palm Beach County’s Hunger Relief Initiative with support from Healthier Glades, a Palm Health Foundation initiative, American Heart Association, University of Florida/IFAS, The Glades Initiative, and local churches, elected officials, and other community partners. United Way of Palm Beach County was one of only 20 chapters to be chosen by United Way Worldwide for this new program that supports corner store owners committed to increasing the healthy food inventory in their stores while encouraging customers to make healthier choices.

For many vulnerable Glades residents, their only option for purchasing food for their families is their local corner store. Large supermarkets are an hour away, especially inaccessible when you don’t own a car. Even if they could reach a grocery store, fresh fruits and vegetables are expensive and beyond a limited household budget (some Glades communities have as many as 41% of residents living in poverty). Add to the list of challenges the fact that some residents do not own refrigerators and can’t risk purchasing foods that will quickly spoil, and it becomes clear why our Glades neighbors face an uphill battle for something many of us take for granted.

That’s where the Healthy Corner Store concept comes in. While corner stores don’t normally carry a wide variety of fresh produce, they are a staple of the community from which to build. “Corner stores have good relationships with customers—the clientele was already there,” said Julie Kreafle, United Way of Palm Beach County’s vice president for hunger relief.  “We came together with local partners and residents to make sure the community fully participated in the planning and implementation of the concept and that it would be a sustainable solution.”

Healthier Glades, with its deep roots and trust within the community, became an important partner for including residents’ voices in decisions about what the stores would carry, and in promoting the produce and nutritional education. “People want to eat healthy, but when you look at the cost, many don’t have the means,” said Annie Ifill, Healthier Glades project director. “The Healthy Corner Store has been very positive for our community and our focus on promoting behaviors around healthy eating that will improve health outcomes.”