Plainfield’s Canela Grocery to Host Healthy Corner Store Event

April 28, 2018 | Media Coverage

Originally posted on TAPInto

PLAINFIELD, NJ – EZ Ride and the City of Plainfield are once again partnering with Canela Grocery and Deli to host a free event for residents featuring free healthy snack samples, coupon giveaways, a healthy basket raffle, and nutrition information. Atlantic Health will also be at the event with a mobile unit to provide free blood pressure, blood glucose, and cholesterol screenings for customers.

The event will take place on Friday from 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. at Canela Grocery and Deli, located at 414 Liberty Street, is made possible due to a grant from the NJ Healthy Corner Store Initiative, supported by the NJ Partnership for Healthy Kids, the Food Trust, and the American Heart Association.

“Many people do not have vehicles and cannot access large grocery stores, so the local corner store is the closest destination for food shopping,” said Krishna Murthy, Executive Director for EZ Ride. “The NJ Healthy Corner Store Initiative was launched to support corner store owners committed to increase the availability of healthy food options in their stores, and to encourage customers to make healthier choices. We have partnered with stores that are located near local schools, large residential complexes, and the transit station to try to reach students and more residents.”

Felix Canela, owner of Canela Grocery and Deli, joined the program because he cares about the health of his customers and wants to help the community eat healthier.

This is one of several collaborations between EZ Ride and the City of Plainfield to promoting healthy eating, improve access to health screenings, develop safer streets for walking and biking, and encouraging physical activity. EZ Ride also recently visited the Senior Center on East Front Street to talk about and promote safe walking in the City.

EZ Ride is providing owners of corner stores in Plainfield, Long Branch and Asbury Park with training, marketing equipment and incentives to encourage them to stock more fresh produce and healthier options.

About EZ Ride:  EZ Ride is a non-profit, public-private partnership with a mission to implement transportation programs and services that enhance the quality of life, regional mobility and economic opportunity while reducing traffic congestion and air pollution.

EZ Ride offers carpool, vanpool and employee shuttle programs as well as senior transportation, special transportation, and Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programs in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Monmouth, Passaic and Union Counties. To learn more, visit www.ezride.org or call 201-939-4242.

About the New Jersey Health Initiatives:  New Jersey Health Initiatives (NJHI) is the statewide grant making program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. New Jersey Health Initiatives supports innovations and drives conversations to build healthier communities through grant making across the State of New Jersey. To meet the many health needs of our state’s diverse populations, regions and communities, the NJHI program encourages collaboration across sectors in our state’s communities to foster deep relationships committed to long-term change affording everyone the opportunity to live the healthiest life possible.

About the New Jersey Healthy Corner Store Initiative:  The New Jersey Healthy Corner Store Initiative is a partnership between The Food Trust, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, The American Heart Association and the New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids that connects corner store owners and community partners with the resources they need to increase the availability of fresh fruits, vegetables and other healthy foods in corner stores throughout New Jersey. Visit http://njhealthycornerstores.heart.org/, www.njymca.org/main/healthy-corner-stores, or www.thefoodtrust.org.

 

 

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