03/28/2024
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NCDARALEIGH – Corner stores have until Dec. 31 to apply for funding that is meant to provide healthier food options for people living in food deserts in Eastern North Carolina.

The Healthy Food Small Retailer Program, which is administered by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, was established in the 2016 state budget bill. The pilot program will reimburse participating stores for refrigeration, freezers and stocking equipment needed for healthier items.

“There are 349 food deserts across our state, affecting about 1.5 million North Carolinians,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Corner stores and convenience stores are integral parts of their communities, and can play an important role in bring healthy local foods to the neighborhoods they serve.”

For year one, participating stores must be located in the following eastern counties: Beaufort, Bertie, Bladen, Brunswick, Camden, Carteret, Chowan, Columbus, Craven, Currituck, Dare, Duplin, Edgecombe, Franklin, Gates, Granville, Greene, Halifax, Hertford, Hyde, Johnston, Jones, Lenoir, Martin, Nash, New Hanover, Northampton, Onslow, Pamlico, Pasquotank, Pender, Perquimans, Pitt, Robeson, Sampson, Tyrrell, Wake, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Wilson, Vance.

Melissa Walter, program coordinator, said the pilot region was chosen to address the greater number of food deserts in the area. The region was also chosen to support areas affected by recent flooding and in need of assistance.

In addition to being located in the designated counties, stores applying for funding under the program must meet the following criteria:

Accept or agree to accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

Accept or agree to apply to accept Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) benefits.

Have no more than 3,000 square feet of heated floor space.

Be in a USDA-designated food desert (online search available at www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/food-access-research-atlas/go-to-the-atlas.aspx).

Interested stores can request an application by contacting Walter at 919-707-3117 or melissa.walter@ncagr.gov.

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