Corner stores add fruits and veggies

By Selene Tan

Better known for chips, chocolate bars and bottles of pop, corner stores have long been havens for unhealthy foods. But a new pilot project by the Ottawa Public Health unfolding across the city — including at one Centretown shop — hopes to change that.

Three stores have signed on to participate in the project so far — Preston Food Market in Little Italy, Lauzon Meats and Groceries in Lowertown and Food Frenz on Carling Avenue.

The Good Food Corner Store initiative “aims to increase fresh produce and other good foods in corner stores and in neighbourhoods that have residents with low income,” said Robyn Muzik, a public health nurse working on the project.

There are 23 so-called “food deserts” in the city with no major grocery stores, and within those food deserts are 279 corner stores, according to data from the health agency.

Food deserts are defined as areas that have no grocery stores within a kilometre, Muzik explained.

The project seeks to get local corner stores in these areas to include at least three vegetable and fruit options, some whole grain products, low-fat dairy products and a minimum of two meat alternatives such as eggs or tofu in their inventory.

The foods are to be sold at “a cost comparable to grocery stores,” Muzik said.

In turn, Ottawa Public Health will assist store owners by providing marketing materials and information about handling and stocking produce.

Muzik said public health will also do “promotional stuff so that people are aware of the fresh produce that are in the stores.”

OPH will continue to launch a few more pilot stores throughout the spring and do outreach to get additional stores onboard in the summer. Muzik said interested stores are welcome to join the initiative at any time.

Jasvir Dhillon, the owner of Preston Food Market, said he wanted his 20-year-old business to be part of the initiative because the neighbourhood really needed something like a grocery store.

He said since his store started selling fresh produce, there have  been many requests for other varieties of fresh goods.

“They’re changing their behaviour,” Dhillon said.

“People keep asking for more fruits and more choices like veggies and more green stuff. Hopefully we will get some soon.”

Dhillon’s store currently stocks apples, bananas, oranges, potatoes, carrots, onions and garlic as part of the initiative.

The prices for the products are fairly competitive —  49 cents for an apple or a banana and a quarter for a small orange.

Corry Thorpe, a regular customer at Preston Food Market, said he appreciates the initiative.

“I like it because it’ll get more people using the store instead of the grocery store,” said Thorpe.

Not everyone is impressed with the program.

Scott McCord, another regular, said the project is a bit of a joke.

“A few apples and oranges in a basket does not constitute a grocery store,” he said.

“This neighbourhood really needs a grocery store.”