New York, NY —

The city will try to lure supermarkets into low-income neighborhoods with financial incentives and zone changes. The plan, aimed at combating diabetes and obesity, is being touted as the first of its kind in the country. WNYC's Cindy Rodriguez reports:

REPORTER: The incentives will include property tax breaks, sales tax exemptions on construction materials, and potential reductions in energy costs. On top of that the Department of City Planning says it will allow developers to build larger if a supermarket is on the ground floor. Commissioner Amanda Burden says having more supermarkets will give poor communities access to healthier food choices, and help stimulate the economy:

BURDEN: Also, new neighborhood grocery stores can create jobs and also make neighborhoods more appealing to move to.

REPORTER: The incentives will be available in 45 neighborhoods including Manhattan's Washington Heights, Mott Haven in the Bronx and Brownsville, Brooklyn. The city says supermarkets must commit a certain amount of space to fresh produce, meat and dairy products in order to qualify for the incentives.

For WNYC, I'm Cindy Rodriguez.