Perceptions of Affordability of Fruits and Vegetables at Farmers Markets vs. Grocery Stores in Rural North Carolina

2018 ◽  
Vol 118 (10) ◽  
pp. A164
Author(s):  
A. Tallant ◽  
M. Rettig ◽  
S. Tennyson
2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (15) ◽  
pp. 2846-2854 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie Valpiani ◽  
Parke Wilde ◽  
Beatrice Rogers ◽  
Hayden Stewart

AbstractObjectiveTo explore the effect of seasonality on fruit and vegetable availability and prices across three outlet types (farmers’ markets, roadside stands and conventional supermarkets).DesignCross-sectional survey of geographically clustered supermarkets, farmers’ markets and roadside stands. Enumerators recorded the availability and lowest price for eleven fruits and eighteen vegetables in each season of 2011.SettingPrice data were collected at retail outlets located in central and eastern North Carolina.SubjectsThe sample consisted of thirty-three supermarkets, thirty-four farmers’ markets and twenty-three roadside stands.ResultsOutside the local harvest season, the availability of many fruits and vegetables was substantially lower at farmers’ markets and roadside stands compared with supermarkets. Given sufficient availability, some items were significantly cheaper (P<0·05) at direct retail outlets in the peak season (e.g. cantaloupe cost 36·0 % less at roadside stands than supermarkets), while others were significantly more expensive (e.g. carrots cost 137·9 % more at farmers’ markets than supermarkets). Although small samples limited statistical power in many non-peak comparisons, these results also showed some differences by item: two-thirds of fruits were cheaper at one or both direct outlets in the spring and autumn, whereas five of eighteen vegetables cost more at direct retail year-round.ConclusionsCommonly consumed fruits and vegetables were more widely available at supermarkets in central and eastern North Carolina than at direct retail outlets, in each season. Contingent on item availability, price competitiveness of the direct retail outlets varied by fruit and vegetable. For many items, the outlets compete on price in more than one season.


HortScience ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 1045A-1045
Author(s):  
Melinda McVey McCluskey

Students are often unable to relate the vegetables and fruits consumed as a snack or part of a meal to the plant parts discussed in botany class. Therefore, an exercise was developed for an introductory horticulture course to increase a student's awareness of botany in everyday life. Fresh produce was brought in from local gardens, grocery stores, or farmers markets. Vegetables and fruits were selected that are consumed for their roots, stems, leaves, flower, fruit, and seeds. As each vegetable or fruit was introduced, students named the plant and plant part. As each part was identified it was “dissected” to show the taxonomic features. The different fruit types, i.e., berry, hesperidium, pepo, drupe, and pome were explained. Students were encouraged to taste all vegetables and fruits as they were prepared. Most students sampled the produce as it was passed around the group. Students easily recognized much of the produce, i.e., carrots, asparagus, tomatoes, peas, oranges, and broccoli. The second part of the exercise exposed students to vegetables and fruits that were unfamiliar. Most of the students had little exposure to the more exotic fruits and vegetables that are now available. New vegetables and fruits that students said they would add to their diet include jicama, pomegranate, and star fruit.


2013 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. 1944-1952 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie B Jilcott Pitts ◽  
Qiang Wu ◽  
Jared T McGuirt ◽  
Thomas W Crawford ◽  
Thomas C Keyserling ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveWe examined associations between access to food venues (farmers’ markets and supermarkets), shopping patterns, fruit and vegetable consumption and health indicators among women of reproductive age in eastern North Carolina, USA.DesignAccess to food venues was measured using a Geographic Information System incorporating distance, seasonality and business hours, to quantify access to farmers’ markets. Produce consumption was assessed by self-report of eating five or more fruits and vegetables daily. BMI and blood pressure were assessed by clinical measurements. Poisson regression with robust variance was used for dichotomous outcomes and multiple linear regression was used for continuous outcomes. As the study occurred in a university town and university students are likely to have different shopping patterns from non-students, we stratified analyses by student status.SettingEastern North Carolina.SubjectsLow-income women of reproductive age (18–44 years) with valid address information accessing family planning services at a local health department (n 400).ResultsOver a quarter reported ever shopping at farmers’ markets (114/400). A larger percentage of women who shopped at farmers’ markets consumed five or more fruits and vegetables daily (42·1 %) than those who did not (24·0 %; P < 0·001). The mean objectively measured distance to the farmers’ markets where women reported shopping was 11·4 (sd 9·0) km (7·1 (sd 5·6) miles), while the mean distance to the farmers’ market closest to the residence was 4·0 (sd 3·7) km (2·5 (sd 2·3) miles).ConclusionsAmong non-students, those who shopped at farmers’ markets were more likely to consume five or more servings of fruits and vegetables daily. Future research should further explore potential health benefits of farmers’ markets.


HortScience ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 507B-507
Author(s):  
J.M. Kemble ◽  
P. Sanders ◽  
W. Foshee ◽  
D. Fields

High tunnels (HT) can reduce negative environmental strains on crop production and have been shown to extend the growing season for many small fruits and vegetables. Because HTs require relatively low initial investment compared with standard greenhouse structures, they are well suited for the small to mid-size grower. HTs provide a practical means of entry into intensive crop production for farmers who direct market their produce. By using HTs, direct market farmers may create a special marketing niche which set's them apart by offering locally grown vegetables, cut flowers, small fruits, and herbs earlier in the growing season and into the fall after frost. This project examined 1) the potential use of HTs for the production of fresh-market tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) and strawberries (Fragaria spp.) and 2) the seasonal market potential for these crops in Alabama. Viable markets were determined by conducting surveys at regional locations throughout Alabama, such as farmers markets, grocery stores, shopping centers, etc. Upscale restaurants were also surveyed to determine the demand for locally grown herbs. These surveys were used to determine target markets by asking demographic questions and determining spending habits. Justification for establishing a direct farmer-to-consumer market or a direct farmer to restaurant market for HT products was determined.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Casey J. Kelley ◽  
Karla L. Hanson ◽  
Grace A. Marshall ◽  
Leah C. Volpe ◽  
Stephanie Jilcott Pitts ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective: To examine cross-sectional associations between farmers’ market shopping behaviors and objectively measured and self-reported fruit and vegetable (FV) intake among rural North Carolina (NC) and New York City (NYC) shoppers. Design: Cross-sectional intercept surveys were used to assess self-reported FV intake and three measures of farmers’ market shopping behavior: (1) frequency of purchasing FV, (2) variety of FV purchased, and (3) dollars spent on FV. Skin carotenoids, a non-invasive biomarker for FV intake, were objectively measured using pressure-mediated reflection spectroscopy. Associations between farmers’ market shopping behaviors and FV intake were examined using regression models that controlled for demographic variables (e.g., age, sex, race, smoking status, education, income, and state). Setting: Farmers’ markets (n=17 markets) in rural NC and NYC. Participants: A convenience sample of 645 farmers’ market shoppers. Results: Farmers’ market shoppers in NYC purchased a greater variety of FV and had higher skin carotenoid scores compared to shoppers in rural NC. Among all shoppers, there was a positive, statistically significant association between self-reported frequency of shopping at farmers’ markets and self-reported as well as objectively assessed FV intake. The variety of FV purchased and farmers’ market spending on FV also were positively associated with self-reported FV intake, but not skin carotenoids. Conclusion: Those who shop for FV more frequently at a farmers’ markets, purchase a greater variety of FV, and spend more money on FV have higher self-reported, and in some cases higher objectively measured FV intake. Further research is needed to understand these associations and test causality.


2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 325-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chelsea R. Singleton ◽  
William Opoku-Agyeman ◽  
Ermanno Affuso ◽  
Monica L. Baskin ◽  
Emily B. Levitan ◽  
...  

Purpose: To examine cash value voucher (CVV) redemption behavior and its association with fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption among women who participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Jefferson County, Alabama. Participants: Between October 2014 and January 2015, 300 women (mean age: 27.6 years; 66.8% non-Hispanic black; 45.1% obese) who participated in the Birmingham WIC program were surveyed. Measures: Self-reported information on demographics, produce shopping behaviors, and residential access to fresh produce retailers (eg, supermarkets and farmers markets) was examined. Fruit and vegetable intake was collected via the Block Fruit–Vegetable–Fiber screener. Participants who self-reported redeeming the WIC CVV in each of the 3 prior months were classified as regular redeemers. Analysis: Multivariable-adjusted regression models were used to examine associations between variables of interest and regular WIC CVV redemption. Results: There were 189 (63.0%) study participants classified as regular WIC CVV redeemers. Regular redeemers and other participants (ie, irregular redeemers and nonredeemers) were similar with respect to demographics. Regular redeemers were more likely to use grocery stores to purchase FVs ( P = .003) and consumed significantly more servings of FVs per day (β = .67; standard error = 0.24; P = .007). Conclusion: Regular WIC CVV redemption was associated with some produce shopping behaviors and increased FV consumption and among WIC participants in Jefferson County, Alabama.


2019 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 100861 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine Sutton ◽  
Julia Caldwell ◽  
Sallie Yoshida ◽  
Jack Thompson ◽  
Tony Kuo

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (9) ◽  
pp. 1638-1646 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily M Piltch ◽  
Sonya S Shin ◽  
Robert F Houser ◽  
Timothy Griffin

AbstractObjective:Navajo Nation residents experience extreme rates of poverty, food insecurity and diet-related diseases. While many residents travel far to shop at grocery stores, there are small stores closer to home that could provide more healthy options, like fruits and vegetables (F&V). Little is known from the perspective of store owners and managers regarding the barriers and facilitators to offering F&V; the present study contributes to filling that gap.Design:Data were collected through structured interviews from a sampling frame of all store owners or managers in the setting (n 29).Setting:Small stores in Navajo Nation, New Mexico, USA. Navajo Nation is predominantly rural and the largest federally recognized Native American tribe in the USA.Participants:Sixteen managers and six owners at twenty-two stores.Results:When asked about the types of foods that were most commonly purchased at their stores, most participants reported snacks and drinks (82 and 68 %, respectively). Many participants reported they would like to offer more fresh F&V. However, barriers included varying perceived customer demand, limited F&V choices from distributors and (for some managers) limited authority over product selection.Conclusions:Findings contribute to the discussion on engaging store owners and managers in providing quality, healthy foods close to home in low-income, rural regions.


2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 372-378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Courtney A. Parks ◽  
Lara J. Jaskiewicz ◽  
Rachael D. Dombrowski ◽  
Hollyanne E. Fricke ◽  
Sarah B. Hortman ◽  
...  

To characterize participants of a statewide healthy food incentive program in terms of shopping behaviors, surveys were collected at farmers markets (N = 436) and grocery stores (N = 131). Farmers market and grocery store respondents were mostly forty-five to fifty-four years old (21 percent to 24 percent) and female (72 to 82 percent). Grocery store respondents were more diverse. Farmers market participants were more likely to be female ( p = .011), not have children ( p = .006), and traveled further compared to grocery store participants. As healthy food incentive programs expand, participant characteristics should inform tailored outreach to expand to diverse populations to have a greater public health impact.


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