The Food Trust’s Healthy Corner Store Initiative (HCSI) and Heart Smarts program work side by side to ensure that residents have access to delicious, nutritious food and information to choose healthier options in their local corner store. Through in-store nutrition education, nutrition incentives and technical assistance, our team supports store owners in activating their businesses as community health hubs.
Our History: HCSI in Philadelphia
The Healthy Corner Store Initiative works with small, independently owned grocery stores in order to help them increase the amounts of fresh produce and other healthy items they have available for sale. We accomplish this goal by providing stores with training, equipment and marketing materials to store and display the new healthy items they have introduced.
“I send all my friends to come to my corner store. There is such a variety of produce now, and I really like how he promotes healthy eating. I can go to the grocery store for WIC, but I come here. I like this selection, and I don’t feel rushed. They are such nice people. I call them my family.”
—Camden resident
Heart Smarts, developed by The Food Trust, is an evidence-based nutrition education series focused on corner stores, food pantries, farmers markets, grocery stores and other food sites that meets people where they shop and empowers residents to improve their health. Partners are invited to download our resources below to implement Heart Smarts in their communities.
Interested in professional printing? Email us at contact@thefoodtrust.org.
<a href=”http://learning.thefoodtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/HS_bookletEN_GN2023_FINAL.pdf” target=”_blank”>Heart Smarts Booklet (English)</a>
The Heart Smarts lesson booklet contains nine nutrition education lessons that can be used to conduct direct nutrition education at corner stores, grocery stores, farmers markets and food pantries.
<a href=”http://learning.thefoodtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/HS_visualsBI_GN2023_FINAL.pdf” target=”_blank”>Heart Smarts Visuals (Bilingual)</a>
The Heart Smarts visuals accompany the lesson booklet.
<a href=”http://learning.thefoodtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/HS_recipesEN_GN2023_2upFINAL.pdf” target=”_blank”>Heart Smarts Recipes (English)</a>
<a href=”http://learning.thefoodtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/HS_recipesSP_GN2023_2upFINAL.pdf” target=”_blank”>Heart Smarts Recipes (Spanish)</a>
Partners are invited to download this recipe set, available in English and Spanish, for easy printing at home. Recipes are quick, easy and utilize ingredients found at Heart Smarts sites. There are suggested recipes and taste tests within the Heart Smarts lesson booklet, but also some flexibility to allow you to choose recipes that work for your site and community. For additional recipes, check out our <a href=”http://learning.thefoodtrust.org/recipes/” target=”_blank”>Recipe Explorer</a>.
<a href=”http://learning.thefoodtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/HS_GHHcardsEN_2023_2upFINAL2.pdf” target=”_blank”>Heart Smarts Info Cards (English)</a>
<a href=”http://learning.thefoodtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/HS_GHHcardsSP_GN2023_2upFINAL.pdf” target=”_blank”>Heart Smarts Info Cards (Spanish)</a>
Partners are invited to download this info card set, available in English and Spanish, for easy printing at home. Get Heart Healthy Cards accompany each lesson and provide key teaching points from the lesson on the front and a sample grocery list along with a shopping guide on the back. The Protein Lesson has two cards.
This <a href=”http://learning.thefoodtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/SellHealthyGuide_2026_FINAL.pdf” target=”_blank”>guide for corner store owners</a> focuses on how to sell healthy foods, increase sales and attract more customers. Updated for 2026!
Heart Smarts Booklet (English)
The Heart Smarts lesson booklet contains nine nutrition education lessons that can be used to conduct direct nutrition education at corner stores, grocery stores, farmers markets and food pantries.
Heart Smarts Visuals (Bilingual)
The Heart Smarts visuals accompany the lesson booklet.
Heart Smarts Recipes (English)
Heart Smarts Recipes (Spanish)
Partners are invited to download this recipe set, available in English and Spanish, for easy printing at home. Recipes are quick, easy and utilize ingredients found at Heart Smarts sites. There are suggested recipes and taste tests within the Heart Smarts lesson booklet, but also some flexibility to allow you to choose recipes that work for your site and community. For additional recipes, check out our Recipe Explorer.
Heart Smarts Info Cards (English)
Heart Smarts Info Cards (Spanish)
Partners are invited to download this info card set, available in English and Spanish, for easy printing at home. Get Heart Healthy Cards accompany each lesson and provide key teaching points from the lesson on the front and a sample grocery list along with a shopping guide on the back. The Protein Lesson has two cards.
This guide for corner store owners focuses on how to sell healthy foods, increase sales and attract more customers. Updated for 2026!
Additional resources are available for free download on our Publications & Webinars page.
Help us ensure delicious, nutritious food for all — in communities across the country.