Healthy corner store initiative

New Haven, Conn. (WTNH) - A new initiative by Yale is trying to make healthy food more accessible in New Haven.

This is not your typical corner store in a New Haven neighborhood -- this one offers all kinds of healthy food options.

"Not everyone can always jump into a car, drive off to the local grocery store, sometimes you need something within walking distance to run and grab," explained Alycia Santilli, CARE at Yale.

CARE is working with store owners like Alex Haider, launching the Healthy Corner Store initiative.

"This is our healthy snack section, so the snacks here meet very strict calorie nutrition requirements, so we have things like the 100 calories snack, granola bars that are low in sugar," Santilli said.

It's located in a prime spot -- front and center.

"The strategy is this, the eyes are very important. The kids know whatever they see, you can tell them what is healthy for you, in a sense you teach the children which food is good," Haider said.

Fresh fruits are also being offered, all in an effort to help curb obesity.

"We're trying to put produce outside, if zoning department is okay, we're trying to attract people to see what produce we do have," Haider said.

Signs throughout the store promote healthy eating.

"This store does have a few options that are lower in sugar so we are promoting those, cornflakes, Kix and Cheerios are better choices than Fruit Loops and Apple Jacks," Santilli explained.

"Anytime you change the diet of adults and children, it takes time, certainly consistency is much important in this kind of project," Haider said.