The first focus of the Healthy Communities program is improving food security in food deserts. There are 21 food deserts in Winston-Salem and the city is ranked seventh on a national list for food hardship. The program has enacted the statewide initiative called The Healthy Food Retail Designation. This initiative focuses on small corner and convenience stores located in food deserts. In order to become a certified Healthy Store, the store must participate in SNAP/EBT and WIC and carry a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat milk, protein, and water. Once the store passes inspection, it receives a certificate from the program that they can display beside the register. All stores with a NC Healthy Food Retail Designation are listed on a statewide website. The program has certified nine stores in Forsyth County since May 2023. The certified stores are:

• Los Primos Meat Market (640 E Monmouth Street Winston-Salem, NC 27107)
• El Jacal II (155 Jonestown Road Winston-Salem, NC 27104)
• Tienda Latina Los Juanes (373 Jonestown Road Winston-Salem, NC 27104)
• La Victoria (321 Polo Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27105)
• Tienda Mexicana La Fe (6033 University Parkway, Winston-Salem, NC 27105)
• La Perlita Su Tienda Mexicana (815 Waughtown Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27107)
• Lindo Michoacan Tienda Hispana (2518 Lewisville Clemmons Road B., Clemmons, NC 27012)
• Titi's Convenience Store (1524 Bruce Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27102)
• Tienda Hispana Salmar (1351 Lockland Avenue, Winston-Salem, NC 27103)

Healthy Communities gardens are located at the Malloy Jordan Branch Library, Miller Park Community Center, and Brown & Douglas Neighborhood Center. Over 550 pounds of produce have been grown and donated to the community.

Additionally, Healthy Communities offers an adult gardening program called Energize Your Life: Gardening for a Healthier You. This SNAP-Ed program teaches older adults introductory gardening techniques and the importance of maintaining a balanced diet. Participants have shared that the program has given them the confidence to start and maintain their own home gardens. Topics covered include building and filling a garden bed, pest management, harvesting fruits and vegetables, understanding the benefits of growing healthy foods at home, and more.

This 8-week program is held twice a year (Spring and Fall) at the Brown & Douglas Neighborhood Center. Healthy Communities is excited to announce that Energize Your Life will expand to two additional locations in 2026. Dates and locations will be shared in early 2026.

If you are interested in bringing this program to your community or organization, please contact the Healthy Communities Coordinator at 336-703-3267.

For comments or questions, email Katie Hiatt at hiattkj@forsyth.cc

Map of NC Certified Healthy Stores