In Bay Shore, a local deli joins ‘Healthy Corner Store’ program

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The Bay Shore Deli at 60 Reddington Street in Bay Shore has joined the “Healthy Corner Store, ”a Long Island-wide initiative that is designed to improve access to healthful eating habits for families in underserved communities. The program also gives a boost to local food growers.

Organized by Riverhead-based Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County in 2015, the program   promotes greater access to fruits, vegetables, water, whole grains and low-fat dairy items across Nassau and Suffolk counties. Bay Shore Deli is the seventh “corner store” to join the program.

“Bay Shore Deli is proud of our long record of service to our community,” Jose Marmol, manager of the deli, said in a news release about joining the initiative. “We’re pleased to have the opportunity to work in partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension to help our customers make more nutritious food choices. The improvements that we’ve made in our store are certain to help improve the health of Bay Shore families.”

Along with CCE Suffolk, the program is sponsored by Cohen Children’s Medical Center and Northwell Health, which are both based in New Hyde Park. It is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s SNAP food assistance program. SNAP, which stands for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, was formerly known as the “food stamp” program.

Each store in the program undergoes a physical needs assessment encompassing its layout, setup and items stocked, as well as an inventory assessment. Owners and staff identify strategies tailored to the specific store. They then pinpoint the health and nutrition benefits – including to help lower onsets of diabetes, high blood pressure, and other diseases and ailments – that can be gained by implementing small but critical changes within the store. Dedicated signage also helps organize and highlight fresh fruit and vegetable selections.

Since joining the campaign, the deli has modified its signs and store layout to promote shopping for healthy eating habits. On Tuesday, when the program was announced in Bay Shore, the deli distributed store coupons, reusable shopping bags and food tastings to highlight the advantages of shopping for healthy food.

“Identifying food deserts and areas with limited access to fresh fruits and vegetables in our communities is the first step in this initiative,” Marta Blanco, bilingual nutritionist with CCE Suffolk and leader of the Healthy Corner Store program, said in the news release.

“Corner stores are often the only nearby option for food in many communities, so it’s crucial that we make the effort to bring nutrition solutions to these convenient locations,” Blanco added. “By improving the availability of fresh produce and promoting water among other healthy foods in corner stores, we increase the chances that the community will adopt our recommendations and embrace healthier eating habits.”

The program also helps local farmers, experts said.

“Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County has a proud record of promoting the economic health of our county’s vital agricultural sector,“ Vanessa Lockel, director of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County said in the news release. “The ‘Healthy Corner Store’ program helps us fulfill our agricultural mission. It makes perfect sense for local food markets to promote consumption of our community’s first-class produce.”

Local elected officials support the program.

“Good nutrition plays a critical role in raising happy and healthy families,” Suffolk County Legis. Samuel Gonzalez said in the news release. “Bay Shore Deli deserves much credit for joining the ranks of ‘Healthy Corner Stores.’ The deli is making a valuable contribution to our community.”

“Healthy eating delivers many benefits for Long Islanders and all Americans,” New York State Assemblyman Jarett Gandolfo said in the news release. “It can help lower cholesterol, decrease blood pressure, and help prevent a wide range of diseases.”