To create a healthier food environment for residents, Hounslow Council has joined the Good Food Network.
Hounslow Council has joined the Good Food Retail network to create a healthier food environment for residents, with a particular focus on school children and those who rely on local convenience stores for their daily shopping.
So far, nine convenience stores in Hounslow are part of the Good Food Retail network. Working with retail and local marketing experts Rice Marketing, Hounslow Council is helping shop owners increase the availability of healthier options and make them more appealing to customers.
As a result of this work, the number of healthier options available in participating stores has already increased by 29%.
Free stock drops
Hounslow Council’s involvement in the Good Food Retail network is also helping to strengthen relationships with local businesses and increase understanding of the challenges retailers face when stocking healthier products.
A key part of the initiative includes the Council funding free stock drops of healthier items to participating stores. The food provided includes more fresh fruit, vegetables and healthier alternatives to things like sweets and chocolate. This helps remove some of the financial risk for retailers when introducing new products.
Councillor Lily Bath, Hounslow Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Public Health and Transformation, said:
Convenience stores are at the heart of our communities and provide a vital service. By supporting them to stock healthier products, we can improve food choices for everyone, especially school children and residents who may have fewer options when it comes to where they shop.
Once healthier products are on the shelves, we know they sell. Our role is to support stores through the initial transition. Good Food Retail gives us the tools to do that in a way that makes commercial sense for businesses.
Stephanie Rice, Founder, Rice Marketing, said:
We are delighted to launch the Hounslow Good Food Retail Network. This is more than a campaign; it’s a long-term shift in how the sector can operate. By uniting wholesalers, suppliers, retailers and local government, we’ve created a scalable blueprint for the industry.
With healthier, affordable products already gaining traction in our Hounslow network of convenience stores, this Network is driving real, lasting change.
