Community Corner
San Antonio: District 3 VIVA SA Healthy Corner Store Initiative- Expanding Footprint
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the USDA reported, 14.3% of Texas households (one in seven) experienced food insecurity in the years 2014-2016
August 19, 2020
SAN ANTONIO (August 19, 2020) — The VIVA SA Health Corner Stores pilot program District 3 Councilwoman Rebecca Viagran started in 2019 in response to an outcry from residents needing more grocery stores with fresh fruits and vegetables, would expand as part of the proposed FY 2021 budget. The VIVA SA Healthy Corner Store initiative would incorporate three stores in council districts one, two, four and seven, as well as continuing the program’s eight stores in in District three.
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Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the USDA reported, 14.3% of Texas households (one in seven) experienced food insecurity in the years 2014-2016. Texas was one of just 15 states with higher food insecurity than the nation during this period. In raw numbers, 1.4 million Texas households were food insecure, more than almost any other state.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the numbers have been magnified due to the need in the community, but the Viva SA Healthy Corner Stores pilot program has ensured accessibility to high quality and affordable fresh fruits and vegetables into neighborhood corner stores
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As part of the FY 2019 Adopted Budget, Councilwoman Viagran secured for $50,000 to create the pilot program and because of its success it will grow and help more San Antonians.
“When I started this program with our partners, my intention was to integrate healthy food options into corner stores throughout San Antonio in areas that lack access to big grocery stores. Viva SA Healthy Corner Stores has been transformative for District 3, and now with its expansion in the FY2021 Proposed Budget, the vision is coming to fruition. Now the City will have this successful program implemented into other Districts and provide an opportunity to improve health outcomes by increasing access to healthy foods in spaces that are already part of the local landscape.”
This press release was produced by the City of San Antonio. The views expressed here are the author’s own.