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Healthy Stores Campaign Engages with Chicago Central Park Foods

Tom Otto
Published: November 15, 2011


Three went and grabbed chips, candy, and soda.  A fourth stood in front of the healthy corner kiosk and cooler and came to the check out with a small bag of grapes, an apple and a banana.


The Healthy Stores Campaign initiative grew out of a desire of neighborhood residents to have greater access to fresh produce and healthier foods and snacks.  Community residents also saw the corner stores as unsafe and unappealing with too many people hanging out, poor signage, cleanliness, lighting and general appearance. The West Humboldt Park Development Council obtained funding through Healthy Places, Consortium to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children (CLOCC), and CEED@Chicago - University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). This funding provided an opportunity to hire a project manager through 2012.

Does the idea of corner stores along Chicago Avenue selling fresh produce, and healthy snacks such as yogurt, nuts, dried fruit and energy bars sound like wishful thinking?  How about smoothies and fresh fruit juices?  Are you tired of the poor food choices, a heavy emphasis on high-fat junk foods and poor store appearance and cleanliness?  The Healthy Stores Campaign is a neighborhood and community based effort to engage with store owners and provide incentives help stores offer healthier foods in a healthier environment. 

Kameil Milton

Kameil Milton is the new Healthy Stores Campaign Project Manager.  Kameil has over ten years' experience as a health and wellness educator and has developed and implemented programs for youth, adults, elderly, and communities in the areas of physical, mental, and nutritional wellness.  She has degrees in Applied Exercise Science with a minor in Fitness Specialty along with Pre- Physical Therapy with a minor in Health Science. She has plans to pursue a PhD program in Physical Therapy.  Her previous work experience with community organizations involved developing and initiating new programs with high success rates.


Our first store participant is Chicago-Central Park Foods at 3622 W Chicago (near Chicago & Central Park).  Ray, the store owner, is excited to be a part of the Healthy Stores Campaign.  As a participant, his store has obtained a HEALTHY CORNER COOLER which stocks yogurt, salads, fruits, and low-fat dairy and a HEALTHY CORNER KIOSK which stocks healthy snacks, dried fruits, nuts, and fresh produce.  Stop in and take a look.  Here is some of what is offered:

  • Bananas
  • Apples
  • Green & red grapes
  • Pomegranates
  • 100% Juices and smoothies
  • Collard & turnip greens
  • Nectarines
  • Plums
  • Yogurt
  • Dried fruit & nuts
  • And more!


Just the other day one of our community partners noticed four kids in the store.  Three went and grabbed chips, candy, and soda.  A fourth stood in front of the healthy corner kiosk and cooler and came to the check out with a small bag of grapes, an apple and a banana.  We all make choices every day.  The Healthy Stores Campaign is working to provide a choice, a healthy choice, for school aged kids as well as adults. Take at look at the Healthy Corner at Chicago-Central Park Foods and check back often because new products are being added daily.  We hope to include more salads, sandwiches and prepared items soon.  For more information on the Healthy Stores Campaign contact Kameil Milton at (773) 342-0036 or healthystore@whpdevelopmentcouncil.net.

For another take on our Healthy Stores Campaign see Humboldt Park Corner Stores Get Fresh. 

Posted in Business & Economic Development, Community Development, Healthy Stores Initiative