PHILADELPHIA – Philadelphia’s Healthy Corner Stores Network, led by the city’s health department and The Food Trust, have enlisted roughly 650 of the city’s 2,000 corner stores to broaden their inventory of fresh and nutritious foods, the Associated Press reports.

For now, the healthy products appear to be resonating among consumers. The Food Trust revealed that store owners participating in the program have reported profits on those items and expanded their supply.

About 21% of Philadelphians have limited access to supermarkets, making corner groceries a critical source of nutritious food.

The Food Trust began working with Philadelphia in 2010 to recruit corner store owners to sell more nutritious food items. According to program senior associate Brianna Almaguer Sandoval, some retailers feared they would lose money on produce that spoiled, while others said they were interested but didn’t know where to start.

The initiative offers four levels of participation. At the lowest tier, a store receives a $100 incentive to introduce four healthy items and training on buying and selling produce. Higher-level stores receive free refrigeration units, shelving and signage.

The city has invested roughly $1.5 million in the program since 2010, with several foundations and government agencies paying for various aspects of the initiative. It has expanded to Camden, N.J., and two Philadelphia suburbs.