# Healthy Corners FAQs
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# Healthy Corners
What is Healthy Corners?
Healthy Corners is a DC Central Kitchen (DCCK) (opens new window) social enterprise that strives to expand healthy food access in DC. We deliver fresh and frozen and healthy snacks to corner stores in areas where food access is limited, offering produce at wholesale prices and providing marketing and technical assistance to store owners.
How do I save at Healthy Corners stores?
- Low prices - Healthy Corners keeps prices low for stores and customers. Prices are listed on each product in the app and on the Healthy Corners product and pricing lists at stores.
- SNAP matching - If a store offers SNAP Matching, shoppers who purchase fresh or frozen products with SNAP can get more fresh or frozen products for free. To earn a $5 coupon for fresh for frozen products, spend at least $5 with SNAP at a participating store and include at least 1 item of fresh or frozen produce in your purchase.
Who runs and supports Healthy Corners?
Healthy Corners is a DC Central Kitchen (DCCK) social enterprise that launched in 2011. Our team includes several graduates of our esteemed Culinary Job Training program, as well as community-based Store Navigators, and other DCCK staff and volunteers. We are funded and supported in large majority by DC Health and the US Department of Agriculture. Our program depends on the commitment and engagement of corner store owners and managers.To find out more about DCCK and Healthy Corners, visit our website at www.dccentralkitchen.org (opens new window).
# Products & Prices
What does it mean if a store shows 'No recent deliveries'?
“No recent deliveries” means a store has not received a Healthy Corners delivery in the past week. The store may have fruits and vegetables in stock from another vendor.
How often are products listed in the app updated?
Products are updated daily at 5 PM EST.
How are prices set?
Prices are set quarterly with the seasons: summer, fall, winter, and spring. Healthy Corners charges stores the cost of produce from distributors and has very low minimums for stores. Many products are further discounted to allow for easy access to customers while giving stores profit. Stores are expected to follow the customer prices set by Healthy Corners. Occasionally the price for an item will change mid-season due to factors like weather or supply chain issues, but Healthy Corners strives to maintain stable pricing throughout the season.
Why are the prices listed on this app different from the prices in-store?
Healthy Corners stores agree to charge customers no higher than the displayed prices for their items. However, it can be difficult to regulate this across all stores and employees. If prices do not match what you see in the app, it could be because a clerk is not aware of a price change or because the manager has not updated the prices in the cash register. If stores choose to buy fresh produce from other vendors, those items may also have different prices.If you notice this while shopping, you can ask the store manager or submit the feedback form (opens new window) to Healthy Corners.
# Stores
How are stores chosen for Healthy Corners?
To qualify for Healthy Corners, a store must:
- Serve a low-income population
- Be located in an area where food security needs are not being met, especially by full-service grocery stores
- Have owners that are committed to promoting healthy and affordable food in the community
I know a store that would make a great addition to Healthy Corners. How can I recommend them?
We welcome your suggestions for new Healthy Corners stores. Nominate a store here (opens new window).
# SNAP Matching and Coupons
What is SNAP Matching? How do I earn SNAP Match coupons?
With SNAP Matching, you can earn a free $5 coupon for fresh for frozen products by spending at least $5 with SNAP at a participating store and including at least 1 item of fresh or frozen produce in your purchase. Select the “SNAP Match” button on the map or look for “SNAP Match” on the store profile to find the stores that offer this program.
How many SNAP Match coupons can I earn?
You will earn 1 coupon per qualifying transaction.
What can I buy with my SNAP Match coupons?
Each coupon is for $5 of fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables. Any fresh produce item or frozen fruit or vegetable without added sugar, seasoning, or oil. You cannot buy canned fruits or vegetables with your coupons.
Do the SNAP Match coupons expire?
Yes. Please use your coupons by the expiration date in the top right corner of your coupon.
Where can I spend my SNAP Match coupons? What if my store does not have the fruits and vegetables I want?
You can use your coupons at the store you received them, or at any store in the SNAP Match program. Please select the “SNAP Match” button on the map within the app to find the qualifying SNAP Match stores. Please also request any new fruits or vegetables with the store manager, or through selecting “Submit Feedback” on the menu bar.
If I spend less than $5 using my SNAP Match coupon, will I get change?
No change is given, so please spend the full $5 at once.
Who runs this program?
The coupons come from DC Central Kitchen's Healthy Corners program, with funding from the USDA and DC Health.
# DC WIC
What is WIC?
WIC stands for the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. WIC is a federal food assistance and nutrition education program for eligible women, infants, and children. WIC participants receive benefits to purchase a variety of healthy foods every month, tailored for them by WIC nutritionists.
How do I know if I'm eligible for WIC?
Pregnant women, new mothers, or infants and children under 5 years old may be eligible for WIC. Fathers, guardians, and grandparents can also enroll their children in WIC. If you think you or your child(ren) might be eligible, use the WIC pre-screening tool (opens new window) to find out more.
How do I apply for WIC?
Apply for WIC by contacting your local WIC clinic or calling (202)442-9397.
How do I know which Healthy Corners stores can accept my WIC benefits?
Find WIC authorized vendors through the app by selecting the WIC filter when searching for Healthy Corners stores. The Healthy Corners stores that accept DC WIC are also on the autorized store locations list (opens new window) found on the DC WIC website.
How can I use my WIC benefits at a Healthy Corners store?
You can use your e-WIC card like a debit card to redeem your WIC benefits. Use the WIC app to scan food items’ barcodes to see if it is WIC approved or not.
Will more Healthy Corners stores be able to accept WIC benefits?
Yes, we are working closely with the DC WIC State Agency to help more Healthy Corners stores become WIC authorized vendors.
Do Healthy Corners stores use eWIC?
Yes, just like the larger WIC authorized vendors, Healthy Corners stores are now using eWIC.
Who runs this program?
DC Central Kitchen's Healthy Corners program works closely with DC Health's WIC State Agency, with funding from the USDA.
# Contact support
To contact us, use our online form (opens new window).
To learn more about DC Central Kitchen (opens new window) and the Healthy Corners program (opens new window), visit our website at www.dccentralkitchen.org (opens new window).