Christa Barfield Aims to Change the Narrative on Convenience Stores

Farmer Christa Barfield from Pennsylvania is reimagining corner stores to provide communities with healthy, convenient food options.

CornerJawn adopts a Food is Medicine approach for corner stores, stocking them with nutrient-dense produce in urban neighborhoods.

The idea for CornerJawn emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic, Barfield explains. She wondered if corner stores, often more accessible than larger supermarkets, would offer more than just a few items of produce needed for recipes.

During a walk, Barfield visited several corner stores in her neighborhood and asked the owners if they would consider offering more variety. Each time, she received the same response: No.

“It was purely a business decision, and that made sense to me,” Barfield tells Food Tank. “You’re not going to purchase something that’s going to spoil on the shelf.” She realized a mindset shift was necessary and wanted to present a model demonstrating what corner stores could become.

At CornerJawn, Barfield aims to create a shopping experience where customers can learn about the produce they purchase and the nutritional benefits it offers. She also wants them to feel comfortable with the available options.

“It’s crucial for us to stop limiting food options while keeping things culturally relevant for the communities we serve,” Barfield tells Food Tank. “I want to ensure that no one feels that nutrient density is beyond their reach.”

Barfield reflects deeply on people’s connection to their food. “I want individuals to recognize that the quality of food is tied to their health,” she says. She believes this relationship between food and wellness extends beyond individual concerns. “How you eat today affects not just you. Food connects to lineage. It encompasses everyone in your bloodline before you and those who will come after you.”

Tune in to the full conversation with Christa Barfield on “Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg” to learn more about how corner stores can nourish communities, Barfield’s regenerative organic production model at her 128-acre farm FarmerJawn, and how her travels in Martinique inspired her transition from healthcare to agriculture.

Articles like the one you just read are made possible through the generosity of Food Tank members. Can we count on you to be part of our growing movement? Become a member today by clicking here.

Photo courtesy of FarmerJawn