scholarly journals Variation in the food environment of small and non-traditional stores across racial segregation and corporate status

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (09) ◽  
pp. 1624-1634 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan R Winkler ◽  
Kathleen M Lenk ◽  
Caitlin E Caspi ◽  
Darin J Erickson ◽  
Lisa Harnack ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Predominantly White ◽  
Food Environment ◽  
Racial Segregation ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Traditional Food ◽  
Structural Level ◽  
Healthy Foods ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Food Stores ◽  
Food Retailers

AbstractObjectiveWe examined differences in consumer-level characteristics and structural resources and capabilities of small and non-traditional food retailers (i.e. corner stores, gas-marts, pharmacies, dollar stores) by racial segregation of store neighbourhood and corporate status (corporate/franchise-v. independently owned).DesignObservational store assessments and manager surveys were used to examine availability-, affordability- and marketing-related characteristics experienced by consumers as well as store resources (e.g. access to distributors) and perceived capabilities for healthful changes (e.g. reduce pricing on healthy foods). Cross-sectional regression analyses of store and manager data based on neighbourhood segregation and store corporate status were conducted.SettingSmall and non-traditional food stores in Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN, USA.ParticipantsOne hundred and thirty-nine stores; seventy-eight managers.ResultsSeveral consumer- and structural-level differences occurred by corporate status, independent of residential segregation. Compared with independently owned stores, corporate/franchise-owned stores were more likely to: not offer fresh produce; when offered, receive produce via direct delivery and charge higher prices; promote unhealthier consumer purchases; and have managers that perceived greater difficulty in making healthful changes (P≤0·05). Only two significant differences were identified by residential racial segregation. Stores in predominantly people of colour communities (<30 % non-Hispanic White) had less availability of fresh fruit and less promotion of unhealthy impulse buys relative to stores in predominantly White communities (P≤0·05).ConclusionsCorporate status appears to be a relevant determinant of the consumer-level food environment of small and non-traditional stores. Policies and interventions aimed at making these settings healthier may need to consider multiple social determinants to enable successful implementation.

scholarly journals Food and beverage purchases in corner stores, gas-marts, pharmacies and dollar stores

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (14) ◽  
pp. 2587-2597 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caitlin E Caspi ◽  
Kathleen Lenk ◽  
Jennifer E Pelletier ◽  
Timothy L Barnes ◽  
Lisa Harnack ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nutritional Quality ◽  
Healthy Eating Index ◽  
Traditional Food ◽  
Dietary Recommendations ◽  
Food Stores ◽  
Sweetened Beverages ◽  
Food Retailers ◽  
Corner Stores ◽  
Food And Beverage

Abstract Objective Little is known about customer purchases of foods and beverages from small and non-traditional food retailers (i.e. corner stores, gas-marts, dollar stores and pharmacies). The present study aimed to: (i) describe customer characteristics, shopping frequency and reasons for shopping at small and non-traditional food retailers; and (ii) describe food/beverage purchases and their nutritional quality, including differences across store type. Design Data were collected through customer intercept interviews. Nutritional quality of food/beverage purchases was analysed; a Healthy Eating Index-2010 (HEI-2010) score for purchases was created by aggregating participant purchases at each store. Setting Small and non-traditional food stores that were not WIC-authorized in Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN, USA. Subjects Customers (n 661) from 105 food retailers. Results Among participants, 29 % shopped at the store at least once daily; an additional 44 % shopped there at least once weekly. Most participants (74 %) cited convenient location as the primary draw to the store. Customers purchased a median of 2262 kJ (540 kcal), which varied by store type (P=0·04). The amount of added sugar far surpassed national dietary recommendations. At dollar stores, participants purchased a median of 5302 kJ (1266 kcal) for a median value of $US 2·89. Sugar-sweetened beverages were the most common purchase. The mean HEI-2010 score across all stores was 36·4. Conclusions Small and non-traditional food stores contribute to the urban food environment. Given the poor nutritional quality of purchases, findings support the need for interventions that address customer decision making in these stores.

scholarly journals Food at checkouts in non-food stores: a cross-sectional study of a large indoor shopping mall

2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (15) ◽  
pp. 2786-2793 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Wright ◽  
Erin Kamp ◽  
Martin White ◽  
Jean Adams ◽  
Sarah Sowden
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Content ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Shopping Mall ◽  
Healthy Foods ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Price Promotions ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Food Stores ◽  
Child Height ◽  
The Uk

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the display of food at non-food store checkouts; and to classify foods by type and nutrient content, presence of price promotions and whether food was at child height.DesignCross-sectional survey of checkout displays at non-food stores. Foods were classified as ‘less healthy’ or healthier using the UK Food Standards Agency’s Nutrient Profile Model. Written price promotions were recorded. Child height was defined as the sight line of an 11-year-old approximated from UK growth charts.SettingA large indoor shopping mall, Gateshead, UK, February–March 2014.SubjectsTwo hundred and five out of 219 non-food stores in the shopping mall directory which were open for trading.ResultsThirty-two (15·6 %) of 205 non-food stores displayed food at the checkout. All displayed less healthy foods, and fourteen (43·8 %) had healthier foods. Overall, 5911 checkout foods were identified. Of these, 4763 (80·6 %) were ‘less healthy’. No fruits, vegetables, nuts or seeds were found. Of 4763 less healthy foods displayed, 195 (4·1 %) were subject to price promotions, compared with twelve of 1148 (1·0 %) healthier foods (χ2(df=1)=25·4, P<0·0001). There was no difference in the proportion of less healthy (95·1 %) and healthier (96·2 %) foods displayed at child height.ConclusionsAlmost one-sixth of non-food stores displayed checkout food, the majority of which was ‘less healthy’ and displayed at child height. Less healthy food was more likely to be subject to a written price promotion than healthier food. Further research into the drivers and consequences of checkout food in non-food stores is needed. Public health regulation may be warranted.

Prevalence of Nontraditional Food Stores and Distance to Healthy Foods in a Rural Food Environment

2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 279-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leigh A. Gantner ◽  
Christine M. Olson ◽  
Edward A. Frongillo ◽  
Nancy M. Wells
Keyword(s):  
Food Environment ◽  
Healthy Foods ◽  
Food Stores

scholarly journals Evaluation of the first U.S. staple foods ordinance: impact on nutritional quality of food store offerings, customer purchases and home food environments

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa N. Laska ◽  
Caitlin E. Caspi ◽  
Kathleen Lenk ◽  
Stacey G. Moe ◽  
Jennifer E. Pelletier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Environments ◽  
Healthy Foods ◽  
Food Stores ◽  
Food Retailers ◽  
Home Food ◽  
Customer Purchases ◽  
Staple Foods ◽  
Time Required ◽  
Food Offerings ◽  
The U.S

Abstract Background Many lower-income and racially diverse communities in the U.S. have limited access to healthy foods, with few supermarkets and many small convenience stores, which tend to stock limited quantities and varieties of healthy foods. To address food access, in 2015 the Minneapolis Staple Foods Ordinance became the first policy requiring food stores to stock minimum quantities and varieties of 10 categories of healthy foods/beverages, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains and other staples, through licensing. This study examined whether: (a) stores complied, (b) overall healthfulness of store environments improved, (c) healthy customer purchases increased, and (d) healthfulness of home food environments improved among frequent small store shoppers. Methods Data for this natural (or quasi) experiment were collected at four times: pre-policy (2014), implementation only (no enforcement, 2015), enforcement initiation (2016) and continued monitoring (2017). In-person store assessments were conducted to evaluate food availability, price, quality, marketing and placement in randomly sampled food retailers in Minneapolis (n = 84) and compared to those in a nearby control city, St. Paul, Minnesota (n = 71). Stores were excluded that were: supermarkets, authorized through WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children), and specialty stores (e.g., spice shops). Customer intercept interviews were conducted with 3,039 customers exiting stores. Home visits, including administration of home food inventories, were conducted with a sub-sample of frequent shoppers (n = 88). Results Overall, findings indicated significant improvements in healthy food offerings by retailers over time in both Minneapolis and St. Paul, with no significant differences in change between the two cities. Compliance was low; in 2017 only 10% of Minneapolis retailers in the sample were fully compliant, and 51% of participating Minneapolis retailers met at least 8 of the 10 required standards. Few changes were observed in the healthfulness of customer purchases or the healthfulness of home food environments among frequent shoppers, and changes were not different between cities. Conclusions This study is the first evaluation a local staple foods ordinance in the U.S. and reflects the challenges and time required for implementing such policies. Trial registration NCT02774330.

scholarly journals Individual and food environmental factors: association with diet

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (15) ◽  
pp. 2782-2792 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariana Carvalho de Menezes ◽  
Ana Victoria Diez Roux ◽  
Bruna Vieira de Lima Costa ◽  
Aline Cristine Souza Lopes
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Food Environment ◽  
Care Service ◽  
Decisional Balance ◽  
Food Store ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Food Stores ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Nutrition Environment ◽  
Consumer Nutrition Environment

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the associations of individual and food environmental factors with fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake in a city in a low-to-middle-income country (LMIC).DesignCross-sectional.SettingRepresentative sample of the Brazilian Primary Care service known as the Health Academy Program (HAP) in Belo Horizonte, a Brazilian city.SubjectsUsing a conceptual model as a guide, individual and food environment data were obtained through: (i) face-to-face interviews with participants aged 20 years or older; and (ii) F&V food store audits. A broad set of individual, household, and community and consumer nutrition environment variables was investigated. Multilevel linear regression was used to quantify area-level variations in F&V intake and to estimate associations with the factors.ResultsEighteen HAP centres were selected and 2944 participants and 336 food stores were included. F&V intake varied between contexts, being higher in areas with better socio-economic conditions and food store quality, such as specialised F&V markets. Individual-level factors, including age, income, food insecurity, stage of change, self-efficacy and decisional balance, were significantly associated with F&V intake. After controlling for individual-level characteristics, greater F&V intake was also associated with higher quality of food stores.ConclusionsIn one of the first studies to comprehensively assess the food environment in an LMIC, individual-level factors accounted for the largest variation in F&V intake; however, the food environment was also important, because area-level variables explained 10·5 % of the F&V intake variation. The consumer nutrition environment was more predictive of healthy eating than was the community nutrition environment. The findings suggest new possibilities for interventions.

scholarly journals Differences in healthy food supply and stocking practices between small grocery stores, gas-marts, pharmacies and dollar stores

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 540-547 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caitlin Eicher Caspi ◽  
Jennifer E Pelletier ◽  
Lisa Harnack ◽  
Darin J Erickson ◽  
Melissa N Laska
Keyword(s):  
Food Supply ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
Customer Engagement ◽  
Grocery Stores ◽  
Traditional Food ◽  
Healthy Foods ◽  
Food Retailers ◽  
Fresh Vegetables ◽  
Manager Perceptions ◽  
Food Offerings

AbstractObjectiveLittle is known about the practices for stocking and procuring healthy food in non-traditional food retailers (e.g. gas-marts, pharmacies). The present study aimed to: (i) compare availability of healthy food items across small food store types; and (ii) examine owner/manager perceptions and stocking practices for healthy food across store types.DesignDescriptive analyses were conducted among corner/small grocery stores, gas-marts, pharmacies and dollar stores. Data from store inventories were used to examine availability of twelve healthy food types and an overall healthy food supply score. Interviews with managers assessed stocking practices and profitability.SettingSmall stores in Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN, USA, not participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children.SubjectsOne hundred and nineteen small food retailers and seventy-one store managers.ResultsAvailability of specific items varied across store type. Only corner/small grocery stores commonly sold fresh vegetables (63 % v. 8 % of gas-marts, 0 % of dollar stores and 23 % of pharmacies). More than half of managers stocking produce relied on cash-and-carry practices to stock fresh fruit (53 %) and vegetables (55 %), instead of direct store delivery. Most healthy foods were perceived by managers to have at least average profitability.ConclusionsInterventions to improve healthy food offerings in small stores should consider the diverse environments, stocking practices and supply mechanisms of small stores, particularly non-traditional food retailers. Improvements may require technical support, customer engagement and innovative distribution practices.

scholarly journals Small food store retailers’ views on healthy food retail policy in response to a local staple foods ordinance

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cydney M McGuire ◽  
Megan R Winkler ◽  
Kathleen M Lenk ◽  
Lisa Harnack ◽  
Darin J Erickson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Government Regulation ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
Retail Stores ◽  
Healthy Foods ◽  
Food Retail ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Food Stores ◽  
Control Community ◽  
Mixed Regression ◽  
Staple Foods

Abstract Objective: Our objectives were to explore attitudes regarding food retail policy and government regulation among managers of small food stores and examine whether manager views changed due to the 2014 Minneapolis Staple Foods Ordinance, a city policy requiring retailers to stock specific healthy products. Design: Manager interviewer-administered surveys were used to assess views on food retail policy four times from 2014 to 2017. We examined baseline views across manager and store and neighbourhood characteristics using cross-sectional regression analyses and examined changes over time using mixed regression models. In 2017, open-ended survey questions asked about manager insights on the Minneapolis Staple Foods Ordinance. Setting: Minneapolis, MN, where the ordinance was enacted, and St. Paul, MN, a control community, USA. Participants: Managers from 147 small food retail stores. Results: At baseline, 48 % of managers were likely to support a policy requiring stores to stock healthy foods/beverages, 67·5 % of managers were likely to support voluntary programmes to help retailers stock healthy foods and 23·7 % agreed government regulation of business is good/necessary. There was a significant increase in overall support for food retail policies and voluntary programmes from 2014 to 2017 (P < 0·01); however, neither increase differed by city, suggesting no differential impact from the ordinance. Minneapolis store managers reported some challenges with ordinance compliance and offered suggestions for how local government could provide support. Conclusions: Findings suggest that managers of small food retail stores are becoming increasingly amenable to healthy food policies; yet, challenges need to be addressed to ensure healthy food is available to all customers.

scholarly journals Neighborhood Food Environment Associated with Cardiometabolic Health among Predominately Low-income, Urban, Black Women

2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 537-546
Author(s):  
Gabrielle Corona ◽  
Tamara Dubowitz ◽  
Wendy M. Troxel ◽  
Madhumita Ghosh-Dastidar ◽  
Bonny Rockette-Wagner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Food Environment ◽  
Cardiometabolic Health ◽  
Grocery Stores ◽  
Healthy Foods ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Lower Odds ◽  
Food Shopping ◽  
Access To Healthy Foods

Objectives: This study sought to: 1) under­stand how the perceived food environment (availability, accessibility, and affordability) is associated with cardiometabolic health outcomes in predominately low-income Black residents in urban neighborhoods with limited healthy food access; and 2) examine the association of shopping at specific store types with cardiometabolic health outcomes.Methods: We report on cross-sectional data from 459 individuals participating in the Pittsburgh, PA Hill/Homewood Research on Neighborhoods and Health (PHRESH) study. Mean participant age was 60.7 (SD=13.9); 81.7% were female. We used logistic regression to examine associations between three factors (perceived fruit and vegetable availability, quality, and price; primary food shopping store characteristics; and frequency of shopping at stores with low or high access to healthy foods) and cardiometabolic and self-rated health.Results: Adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, participants with higher perceived fruit and vegetable accessibility (AOR:.47, 95%CI: .28-.79, P=.004) and affordability (AOR:.59, 95%CI: .36-.96, P=.034) had lower odds of high blood pres­sure. Shopping often (vs rarely) at stores with low access to healthy foods was associated with higher odds of high total cholesterol (AOR:3.52, 95%CI: 1.09-11.40, P=.035). Finally, primary food shopping at a discount grocery (vs full-service supermarket) was as­sociated with lower odds of overweight/obe­sity (AOR:.51, 95%CI: .26-.99, P=.049).Conclusions: These results suggest that both perceived accessibility and affordability of healthy foods are associated with reduced cardiometabolic risk factors in this urban, low-income predominantly Black population. Additionally, discount grocery stores may be particularly valuable by providing access and affordability of healthy foods in this population. Ethn Dis. 2021;31(4):537-546; doi:10.18865/ed.31.4.537

Availability and affordability of healthy and less healthy food in Nova Scotia: where you shop may affect the availability and price of healthy food

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manfred Egbe ◽  
Amy Grant ◽  
Madeleine Waddington ◽  
Mikiko Terashima ◽  
Rita MacAulay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nova Scotia ◽  
Food Environment ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
Grocery Stores ◽  
Healthy Foods ◽  
Policy Action ◽  
Type Representation ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Convenience Stores

Abstract Objective: The present study aimed to examine the availability and price of healthier compared with less healthy foods by geography, store category and store type for convenience stores, and by store size for grocery stores in Nova Scotia. Design: A cross-sectional study that examined differences in the overall availability and price of healthier compared to less healthy foods in grocery and convenience stores in Nova Scotia. The Nova Scotia Consumer Food Environment project was part of a larger initiative of the Nova Scotia government (Department of Health and Wellness) to assess the food and beverage environment in Nova Scotia in 2015/16. Setting: Four geographic zones (Nova Scotia Health Authority Management Zones) in Nova Scotia, Canada. Participants: A sample of forty-seven grocery stores and fifty-nine convenience stores were selected from a list of 210 grocery stores and 758 convenience stores in Nova Scotia to ensure geographic and store type representation in our sample. Results: Findings indicate that rurality had a significant effect on food availability as measured by the Nutrition Environment Measures Surveys (NEMS) score (P < 0·01); there was a higher availability of healthy foods in rural compared to urban areas for convenience stores but not grocery stores. Healthier foods were also more available in chain stores compared to independent stores (P < 0·01) and in large stores compared to small and medium stores (P < 0·001 and P < 0·01, respectively). Conclusions: The availability of and accessibility to less healthy foods in Nova Scotia food environment suggests that there is a need for government policy action to support a food environment that contributes to healthier diets.

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