El Rey will add more healthy food products, including whole-grain breads, crackers and cereals, to its wide selection of fruits and vegetables. (Photo by John Sterr)

Two large South Side grocery stores have joined with the Healthy Choices, Healthy Community Coalition to make more healthy food available to neighborhood residents. Pete’s Market and El Rey, which already stock a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, will increase their selection of whole-grain breads, crackers and cereals; whole-wheat flour, quinoa, sesame and flax seed; cage-free eggs; and baked chips.

Both stores will host food demonstrations from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on three successive Saturdays (Nov. 3, 10 and 17). Shoppers will receive samples, recipes and tips on preparing some of the new food items.

“We are extremely pleased with all the organizations that joined this community initiative and particularly grateful to the owners of Pete’s and El Rey, who offered full collaboration and support as soon as we approached them. This is an important step to have a healthier neighborhood,” said Tatiana Maida, Healthy Choices program coordinator for the Sixteenth Street Community Health Center (SSCHC).

A group of South Side residents had asked the stores to add more healthy food options following a January 2012 survey that showed gaps in the availability of some products.

Members of the Healthy Choices, Healthy Community Coalition include Community and Regional Food System Project at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the Milwaukee County Cooperative Extension, SSCHC’s Healthy Choices program, Core El Centro, the Center for Urban Population Health and Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin.