scholarly journals Patterns of fruit and vegetable availability and price competitiveness across four seasons are different in local food outlets and supermarkets

2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (15) ◽  
pp. 2846-2854 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie Valpiani ◽  
Parke Wilde ◽  
Beatrice Rogers ◽  
Hayden Stewart
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Statistical Power ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Farmers Markets ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Price Competitiveness ◽  
Retail Outlets ◽  
Eastern North Carolina

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.

scholarly journals Associations between farmers’ market shopping behaviors and objectively measured and self-reported fruit and vegetable intake in a diverse sample of farmers’ market shoppers: a cross-sectional study in New York City and rural North Carolina

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Casey J. Kelley ◽  
Karla L. Hanson ◽  
Grace A. Marshall ◽  
Leah C. Volpe ◽  
Stephanie Jilcott Pitts ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
North Carolina ◽  
New York City ◽  
York City ◽  
Farmers Markets ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Farmers Market ◽  
Objectively Measured

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.

scholarly journals Comparing the availability, price, variety and quality of fruits and vegetables across retail outlets and by area-level socio-economic position

2012 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 171-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Millichamp ◽  
Danielle Gallegos
Keyword(s):  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Fruit And Vegetables ◽  
Farmers Markets ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Farmers Market ◽  
Retail Outlets ◽  
Organic Farmers ◽  
Economic Position

AbstractObjectiveTo explore whether area-level socio-economic position or the form of retail stream (conventionalv. farmers’ market) is associated with differences in the price, availability, variety and quality of a range of fresh fruit and vegetables.DesignA multi-site cross-sectional pilot study of farmers’ markets, supermarkets and independent fruit and vegetable retailers. Each was surveyed to assess the price, availability, variety and quality of fifteen fruit and eighteen vegetable items.SettingRetail outlets were located in south-east Queensland.SubjectsFifteen retail outlets were surveyed (five of each retail stream).ResultsAverage basket prices were not significantly different across the socio-economic spectrum, but prices in low socio-economic areas were cheapest. Availability, variety and quality did not differ significantly across levels of socio-economic position; however, the areas with the most socio-economic disadvantage scored poorest for quality and variety. Supermarkets had significantly better fruit and vegetable availability than farmers’ markets, although price, variety and quality scores were not different across retail streams. Results demonstrate a trend to fruit and vegetable prices being more expensive at farmers’ markets, with the price of the fruit basket being significantly greater at the organic farmers’ market compared with the non-organic farmers’ markets.ConclusionsNeither area-level socio-economic position nor the form of retail stream was significantly associated with differences in the availability, price, variety and quality of fruit and vegetables, except for availability which was higher in supermarkets than farmers’ markets. Further research is needed to determine what role farmers’ markets can play in affecting fruit and vegetable intake.

scholarly journals Associations between access to farmers’ markets and supermarkets, shopping patterns, fruit and vegetable consumption and health indicators among women of reproductive age in eastern North Carolina, USA

2013 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. 1944-1952 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie B Jilcott Pitts ◽  
Qiang Wu ◽  
Jared T McGuirt ◽  
Thomas W Crawford ◽  
Thomas C Keyserling ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Farmers Markets ◽  
Women Of Reproductive Age ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Access To Food ◽  
Eastern North Carolina

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.

scholarly journals Associations Between Farmers’ Market Shopping Behaviors and Objectively-Measured and Self-Reported Fruit and Vegetable Intake in a Diverse Sample of Farmers’ Market Shoppers: A Cross-Sectional Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Casey J. Kelley ◽  
Karla L. Hanson ◽  
Grace A. Marshall ◽  
Leah C. Volpe ◽  
Stephanie Jilcott Pitts ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
North Carolina ◽  
New York City ◽  
York City ◽  
Shopping Behavior ◽  
Farmers Markets ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Farmers Market ◽  
Objectively Measured

Abstract Background: Fruit and vegetable (FV) intake is associated with reduced risk of numerous chronic diseases. The community food environment can support FV intake through enhanced access via food outlets, such as farmers’ markets. This paper examines cross-sectional associations between farmers’ market shopping behaviors and objectively-measured and self-reported FV intake to better understand whether farmers’ market shopping behavior relates to FV intake among farmers’ market shoppers. Methods: Farmers’ market shoppers were surveyed at 17 farmers’ markets in rural North Carolina and New York City. A questionnaire assessed self-reported FV intake and three measures of farmers’ market shopping behavior: (1) frequency, (2) variety of FV purchased, and (3) dollars spent on FV. Skin carotenoid status, a non-invasive biomarker for FV intake, was objectively measured using pressure-mediated reflection spectroscopy. Associations between shopping behaviors at farmers’ markets and FV intake were examined using regression models that controlled for individual demographics (age, sex, race, smoking status, education, income, and site). Results: Farmers’ market shoppers in New York City purchased a greater variety of FV and had higher skin carotenoid scores than in North Carolina. There was a positive, statistically significant association between self-reported frequency of shopping at farmers’ markets and both self-reported and objectively assessed FV intake. We also observed that variety of FV purchased and farmers’ market spending were positively associated with self-reported FV intake, but not skin carotenoid status.Conclusion: Those who shop 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.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the Farmers’ Markets for Kids programme

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (18) ◽  
pp. 3397-3405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Dannefer ◽  
Erica Bryan ◽  
Alyce Osborne ◽  
Rachel Sacks
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Education Programme ◽  
Farmers Markets ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Farmers Market ◽  
The Impact

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the impact of Farmers’ Markets for Kids, a farmers’ market-based, child-oriented nutrition education programme, on attitudes and behaviours related to preparing and consuming produce among child participants and their caregivers in New York City (NYC).DesignRetrospective pre-test/post-test cross-sectional survey with caregivers of children participating in Farmers’ Markets for Kids classes.SettingFour NYC farmers’ markets where Farmers’ Markets for Kids classes are implemented; these markets serve low-income communities.SubjectsTwo hundred and twelve adult caregivers of children who participated in Farmers’ Markets for Kids classes.ResultsCaregivers reported that children’s consumption of fruits and vegetables had increased since participating in Farmers’ Markets for Kids and that their children more frequently assisted with food preparation; both of these improvements were statistically significant. Caregivers also reported significant improvements in attitudes: since participating in Farmers’ Markets for Kids, their children were more willing to try new fruits and vegetables and caregivers found it easier to prepare fruits and vegetables for their children. Almost all respondents (99 %) reported purchasing more fruits and vegetables since participating in Farmers’ Markets for Kids and 95 % had prepared the programme’s recipes at home.ConclusionsFindings suggest that Farmers’ Markets for Kids may be an effective approach for increasing produce consumption among participating children and improving related attitudes among children and caregivers. This evaluation provides support for future efforts to undertake more rigorous evaluations of such programmes.

scholarly journals The association between the food environment and weight status among eastern North Carolina youth

2011 ◽  
Vol 14 (9) ◽  
pp. 1610-1617 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie B Jilcott ◽  
Scott Wade ◽  
Jared T McGuirt ◽  
Qiang Wu ◽  
Suzanne Lazorick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Food Environment ◽  
Fast Food ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Farmers Markets ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Secondary Sources ◽  
Ground Truthing ◽  
Eastern North Carolina ◽  
Pitt County

AbstractObjectiveTo examine associations between various measures of the food environment and BMI percentile among youth.DesignCross-sectional, observational.SettingPitt County, eastern North Carolina.SubjectsWe extracted the electronic medical records for youth receiving well child check-ups from January 2007 to June 2008. We obtained addresses for food venues from two secondary sources and ground-truthing. A geographic information systems database was constructed by geocoding home addresses of 744 youth and food venues. We quantified participants’ accessibility to food venues by calculating ‘coverage’, number of food venues in buffers of 0·25, 0·5, 1 and 5 miles (0·4, 0·8, 1·6 and 8·0 km) and by calculating ‘proximity’ or distance to the closest food venue. We examined associations between BMI percentile and food venue accessibility using correlation and regression analyses.ResultsThere were negative associations between BMI percentile and coverage of farmers’ markets/produce markets in 0·25 and 0·5 mile Euclidean and 0·25, 0·5 and 1 mile road network buffers. There were positive associations between BMI percentile and coverage of fast-food and pizza places in the 0·25 mile Euclidean and network buffers. In multivariate analyses adjusted for race, insurance status and rural/urban residence, proximity (network distance) to convenience stores was negatively associated with BMI percentile and proximity to farmers’ markets was positively associated with BMI percentile.ConclusionsAccessibility to various types of food venues is associated with BMI percentile in eastern North Carolina youth. Future longitudinal work should examine correlations between accessibility to and use of traditional and non-traditional food venues.

scholarly journals Which food-related behaviours are associated with healthier intakes of fruits and vegetables among women?

2007 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 256-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Crawford ◽  
Kylie Ball ◽  
Gita Mishra ◽  
Jo Salmon ◽  
Anna Timperio
Keyword(s):  
Fast Food ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fast Food Restaurant ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Eating Behaviours ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Behavioural Characteristics

AbstractObjectiveTo examine associations between shopping, food preparation, meal and eating behaviours and fruit and vegetable intake among women.DesignCross-sectional survey.SettingCommunity-based sample from metropolitan Melbourne, Australia.SubjectsA sample of 1136 women aged 18–65 years, randomly selected from the electoral roll.ResultsFood-related behaviours reflecting organisation and forward-planning, as well as enjoyment of and high perceived value of meal shopping, preparation and consumption were associated with healthier intakes of fruits and vegetables. For example, women who more frequently planned meals before they went shopping, wrote a shopping list, enjoyed food shopping, planned in the morning what they will eat for dinner that night, planned what they will eat for lunch, reported they enjoy cooking, liked trying new recipes and who reported they sometimes prepare dishes ahead of time were more likely to consume two or more servings of vegetables daily. Conversely, women who frequently found cooking a chore, spent less than 15 minutes preparing dinner, decided on the night what they will eat for dinner, ate in a fast-food restaurant, ate takeaway meals from a fast-food restaurant, ate dinner and snacks while watching television and who frequently ate on the run were less likely to eat two or more servings of vegetables daily.ConclusionsPractical strategies based on these behavioural characteristics could be trialled in interventions aimed at promoting fruit and vegetable consumption among women.

scholarly journals A non-invasive assessment of skin carotenoid status through reflection spectroscopy is a feasible, reliable and potentially valid measure of fruit and vegetable consumption in a diverse community sample

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (9) ◽  
pp. 1664-1670 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Bell Jilcott Pitts ◽  
Lisa Jahns ◽  
Qiang Wu ◽  
Nancy E Moran ◽  
Ronny A Bell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Reflection Spectroscopy ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Eastern North Carolina

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the feasibility, reliability and validity of reflection spectroscopy (RS) to assess skin carotenoids in a racially diverse sample.DesignStudy 1 was a cross-sectional study of corner store customers (n 479) who completed the National Cancer Institute Fruit and Vegetable Screener as well as RS measures. Feasibility was assessed by examining the time it took to complete three RS measures, reliability was assessed by examining the variation between three RS measures, and validity was examined by correlation with self-reported fruit and vegetable consumption. In Study 2, validity was assessed in a smaller sample (n 30) by examining associations between RS measures and dietary carotenoids, fruits and vegetables as calculated from a validated FFQ and plasma carotenoids.SettingEastern North Carolina, USA.ResultsIt took on average 94·0 s to complete three RS readings per person. The average variation between three readings for each participant was 6·8 %. In Study 2, in models adjusted for age, race and sex, there were statistically significant associations between RS measures and (i) FFQ-estimated carotenoid intake (P<0·0001); (ii) FFQ-estimated fruit and vegetable consumption (P<0·010); and (iii) plasma carotenoids (P<0·0001).ConclusionsRS is a potentially improved method to approximate fruit and vegetable consumption among diverse participants. RS is portable and easy to use in field-based public health nutrition settings. More research is needed to investigate validity and sensitivity in diverse populations.

scholarly journals Awareness and outcomes of the fruits and veggies (FNV) campaign to promote fruit and vegetable consumption among targeted audiences in California and Virginia: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tessa R. Englund ◽  
Valisa E. Hedrick ◽  
Sofía Rincón-Gallardo Patiño ◽  
Lauren E. Kennedy ◽  
Kathryn W. Hosig ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Behavioral Outcomes ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽  
Brand Awareness ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Convenience Sample

Abstract Background In 2015, the Partnership for a Healthier America launched the branded Fruits & Veggies (FNV) Campaign to apply a unique industry-inspired marketing approach to promote fruit and vegetable sales and intake to moms and teens in two US pilot markets: Fresno, California and Hampton Roads, Virginia. The aims of this cross-sectional study were to: 1) assess brand awareness and fruit- and vegetable-related outcomes among FNV Campaign target audiences in the California and Virginia market locations; and 2) examine whether reported awareness of the FNV Campaign was associated with differences in fruit- and vegetable-related cognitive and behavioral outcomes. Methods Data for this cross-sectional study were collected using an online survey administered to a non-probability convenience sample (n = 1604; February–July 2017) of youth aged 14–20 years (n = 744) and moms aged 21–36 years (n = 860) in the two pilot markets. Descriptive statistics were computed and outcomes compared between unaware and aware respondents, controlling for sociodemographic covariates. Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was conducted to assess whether fruit- and vegetable-related attitude, belief, and encouragement outcomes differed by FNV Campaign awareness; logistic regression was used to examine associations between FNV brand awareness and dichotomous variables (fruit- and vegetable-related behavioral intentions, trying new fruits and vegetables); and ANCOVA was used to assess associations with daily fruit and vegetable intake frequency. Results Approximately 20% (n = 315/1604) of respondents reported awareness of the FNV Campaign. Youth that reported awareness of the FNV Campaign (n = 167, 22.4%) had higher intentions to buy (p = 0.003) and eat (p = 0.009) fruits and vegetables than unaware respondents. Mothers that reported awareness of the FNV Campaign (n = 148, 17.2%) reported greater encouragement for friends and family to eat fruits and vegetables (p = 0.013) and were approximately 1.5 times more likely to report trying a new fruit or vegetable (p = 0.04) than mothers unaware of the Campaign. Daily fruit and vegetable intake frequency did not differ by Campaign awareness. Conclusions FNV Campaign awareness was associated with limited but positive short- and intermediate-term cognitive and behavioral outcomes among target audience respondents. These findings can inform future research to enhance understanding and improve the FNV Campaign as it is expanded to new markets nationwide.

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