Lessons from San Francisco’s Healthy Corner Store Program

An article from the SPUR's "The Urbanist" shares insight into the work of the Southeast Food Access Working Group (SEFA).

1 minute read

May 19, 2014, 10:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


The Southeast Food Access Working Group (SEFA) is a large group of Bayview residents, community-based organizations, city agencies and others working to achieve a “vibrant and robust food system for all Bayview-Hunters Point residents” by improving food access, improving diet through awareness and education, and developing community gardens.

The article details some of the partners and studies that enabled SEFA's programs, as well as news that the model has spread to other parts of the city, including where the Tenderloin Healthy Corner Store Coalition (THCSC) is working to redesign two local corner stones to a more healthy model.

Moreover, the grassroots activism of SEFA and THCSC has gained institutional support in City Hall: "Recognizing that city agencies could help support these neighborhood efforts, Supervisor Eric Mar introduced legislation in 2013 that created the Healthy Retail SF pilot initiative, which is led by the Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) under Mayor Edwin Lee’s Invest in Neighborhoods Initiative, in conjunction with the Department of Public Health." The OEWD's "SF Shines" initiative, for example, will help corner stores making the transition to more healthy options in acquiring tools for rebranding and signage.

Wednesday, May 7, 2014 in SPUR Urbanist

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

Street with parking protected bike lane and parked cars in downtown Portland, Oregon.

Portland Raises Parking Fees to Pay for Street Maintenance

The city is struggling to bridge a massive budget gap at the Bureau of Transportation, which largely depleted its reserves during the Civd-19 pandemic.

July 8 - Willamette Week

Aerial view of Spokane, Washington with river in foreground.

Spokane Mayor Introduces Housing Reforms Package

Mayor Lisa Brown’s proposals include deferring or waiving some development fees to encourage more affordable housing development.

July 8 - The Spokesman-Review

Close-up on black and white "Bike Lane Ends" sign with bike logo.

Houston Mayor Kills Another Bike Lane

The mayor rejected a proposed bike lane in the Montrose district in keeping with his pledge to maintain car lanes.

July 8 - Houston Public Media

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA