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30th Store Added to the District's Healthy Food Retail Program This Year

Monday, August 25, 2014
Providing low-cost fresh produce to small food retailers located in “food deserts” across the District

(Washington, DC) –The Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) is pleased to announce that 30 stores have been added to the District’s Healthy Food Retail Program (HFRP) in 2014. Liff’s Market (600 Alabama Ave. SE) in Ward 8 received its first deliveries through the program on Wednesday, July 30th. In partnership with DC Central Kitchen’s award-winning “Healthy Corners” program, the Healthy Food Retail Program (HFRP) has expanded to over 60 small food retailers since 2011. DC Central Kitchen (DCCK) has developed and implemented low-cost distribution of healthy foods to corner stores located in “food deserts” which overlap with underserved neighborhoods.

The HFRP, authorized by the Food, Environmental, and Economic Development in the District of Columbia Act (FEED DC) of 2010, is designed to – 1) expand  the commercial distribution and placement of fresh produce and healthy foods into eligible small food retailers, 2) improve the display areas, exteriors, and interiors of corner stores or other small food retailers to improve their ability to profitably provide fresh and healthy foods, and 3) enable corner stores and other small food retailers to accept federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The program provides participating retailers with free refrigeration equipment, and free marketing assistance to educate customers about healthy product lines. Business counseling is also offered to help owners of small grocery stores.

“We are thrilled to have another 30 stores positioned to sell healthier options this year,” said Robert Summers, Director of the Department of Small and Local Business Development. “With key partners like DC Central Kitchen, the Healthy Food Retail Program has been a successful initiative that supports access to healthy foods and provides the help DC small food retailers need to make fresh foods a viable offering.”

About the District of Columbia Department of Small and Local Business Development

The District of Columbia Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) fosters the economic growth, development, and retention of District of Columbia based businesses, and promotes economic development throughout the District’s commercial districts. DSLBD envisions a business environment in which DC businesses are connected in real-time with local, federal, and global business opportunities; businesses navigate government quickly, confidently, and effectively; and, every entrepreneur and business with a great idea and a great plan has the capital to make it happen. For more information, go to dslbd.dc.gov  or contact us at [email protected]. Follow DSLBD on Twitter at @SmallBizDC, or like our Facebook page www.facebook.com/smallbizdc.

About DC Central Kitchen

For more than 25 years, DC Central Kitchen has pioneered a new model of using food as a tool to change lives. We provide nutritious meals to our neighbors in need, equip unemployed men and women to begin culinary careers, and engineer successful social enterprises that advance our mission while creating good jobs for the people we serve. Through job training, healthy food distribution, and local small business partnerships, DC Central Kitchen offers path-breaking solutions to poverty, hunger, and poor health. For more information about DC Central Kitchen, visit www.dccentralkitchen.org/ or follow DCCK on Twitter at @dcck.