scholarly journals Multi-Level, Multi-Perspective Formative Research to Develop a Mobile Application to Improve Healthy Food Access in Low-Income Urban Settings

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 559-559
Author(s):  
Emma Lewis ◽  
Lisa Poirier ◽  
Kelley Koeppen ◽  
Dahiany Zayas-Toro ◽  
Antonio Trujillo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Distribution System ◽  
Mobile Application ◽  
Food System ◽  
Formative Research ◽  
Food Distribution ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Corner Stores ◽  
Multi Level ◽  
Depth Interviews

Abstract Objectives Small urban corner stores typically have low access to healthy foods to stock due to an inadequate food distribution system. Strategies to increase access to healthier foods are needed in low-income urban settings where consumers depend on these stores to meet their main food shopping needs. We conducted multi-level, multi-perspective formative research and user-centered design to inform the development of the Baltimore Urban food Distribution (BUD) mobile application (app), which aims to provide a sustainable, cost-effective, and culturally-acceptable strategy for purchasing and delivering fresh produce to corner stores through local suppliers within the Baltimore City food system. Methods In-depth interviews (N = 36) were conducted across multiple stages of formative research with increasing refinement of the BUD app design. Stakeholders included producers (n = 5), wholesalers (n = 12), representatives of city agencies (n = 4), and corner store owners (n = 15). Future research will include community members. Data were collected regarding participants’ role within the local food system and feedback was elicited during a researcher-led demonstration of a prototype app. Results Stakeholders at multiple levels of the food system found the BUD app to have high feasibility (acceptability, operability, perceived sustainability). In-depth interviews revealed that suppliers (producers, wholesalers) were willing to use the app but had concerns about transportation and storage of produce. Corner store owners desired features such as in-app collaborative purchasing and low-cost delivery. City agency representatives emphasized the need to focus on promotion of local suppliers. Limitations included language barriers and payment security. Strengths included options for networking within the app. Conclusions The BUD app aims to provide a digital solution to address a critical gap in the food distribution system in a low-income urban setting. Multi-level, multi-perspective formative research that is user-centered is a crucial first step to developing a feasible app that appropriately addresses the needs of the community. Future research demonstrating the BUD prototype to stakeholders will enable further development of the app for use in Baltimore and other cities nationwide. Funding Sources NHLBI, NIH, award number R34HL145368.

scholarly journals The Baltimore Urban food Distribution (BUD) App: Study Protocol for A Food Systems Intervention

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joel Gittelsohn ◽  
Emma C. Lewis ◽  
Nina M. Martin ◽  
Siyao Zhu ◽  
Lisa Poirier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Distribution System ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Food System ◽  
The United States ◽  
Food Distribution ◽  
High Sodium ◽  
Extensive Evaluation ◽  
Corner Stores ◽  
Systems Intervention

Abstract Background: Low-income urban communities in the United States commonly lack ready access to healthy foods. This is due in part to a food distribution system that favors the provision of high-fat, high-sugar, high-sodium processed foods to small retail food stores, and impedes their healthier alternatives, such as fresh produce. Methods: The Baltimore Urban food Distribution (BUD) study is a multi-level, multi-component systems intervention that aims to improve healthy food access in low income neighborhoods of Baltimore, Maryland. The primary intervention is the BUD application (app), which uses the power of collective purchasing and delivery to affordably move foods from local producers and wholesalers to the city’s many corner stores. We will implement the app in a sample of 38 corner stores, randomized to intervention and comparison. Extensive evaluation will be conducted at each level of the intervention to assess effectiveness via process and impact measures on suppliers, corner stores, and consumers. Discussion: BUD represents one of the first attempts to implement an intervention that engages multiple levels of a local food system. The design of the intervention and the evaluation plan of the BUD project are documented here.Trial registration #: #### (register since not yet recruiting)

scholarly journals Improving Food System Connectivity: Using Mobile Technology to Leverage Community Partnerships and Strengthen Local Food Systems

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 569-569
Author(s):  
Dahiany Zayas Toro ◽  
Kelley Koeppen ◽  
Emma Lewis ◽  
Lisa Poirier ◽  
Nina Martin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Food Environment ◽  
Food System ◽  
Local Food ◽  
Fresh Produce ◽  
Community Partnerships ◽  
Food Distribution ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Corner Store ◽  
Corner Stores

Abstract Objectives In low-income areas of Baltimore, corner stores are common food sources yet often lack fresh produce. Corner stores are uniquely positioned in the urban food system and offer an opportunity to intervene on the supply chain. However, there is a critical gap in our understanding of the local food distribution network and the best strategies for provisioning corner stores with produce. We sought to inform the development of the Baltimore Urban food Distribution (BUD) mobile application (app), which moves fresh produce from local suppliers to corner stores. We sought to: (1) identify existing networks of local food distribution; (2) explore barriers to increasing fresh produce access within the local food system; and (3) evaluate the potential for sustainability of the BUD app. Methods Secondary data analysis of in-depth interviews (n = 17) conducted in 2016 among local food environment experts, corner store owners, distributors, and wholesalers was completed with the purpose of understanding existing networks of local food distribution, and barriers to increasing food access among stakeholders in the Baltimore food environment. Primary data collection was conducted in 2020–2021 with local stakeholders (n = 10) to confirm and expand upon these findings. Results Existing community distributor partnerships with corner stores and producers contribute to local food networks. Community food distributors with an established connection to wholesalers and urban farmers offer more direct access to fresh produce, but delivery is costly for corner stores. The BUD app could facilitate the arrangement of collective delivery services between distributors, urban farmers and corner stores. Potential barriers include a lack of demand for produce from consumers and a need for community engagement to be incorporated into the app. Conclusions Our findings suggest that enhancing community partnerships is a viable method for distributing fresh foods to local corner stores in Baltimore. Further research is needed to identify ways to increase consumer demand for these foods at the corner store level, and to strengthen the local food distribution system in Baltimore. Funding Sources NHLBI, NIH, award number R34HL145368.

scholarly journals Middlemen Market Power and Land Reform Policy Implication: An Imperfect Competition Analysis for the Traditional Food Market of Vietnam

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 31
Author(s):  
Ngo Chi Thanh
Keyword(s):  
Distribution System ◽  
Policy Implication ◽  
Land Reform ◽  
Imperfect Competition ◽  
Food System ◽  
Choice Model ◽  
Food Distribution ◽  
Traditional Food ◽  
Reform Policy ◽  
Food Market

The traditional food distribution system is often characterized by small farmers and of several retailer called middlemen who sell their products on market. Since the intermediaries and their market powers are largely considerable in the food market, this paper proposes an industrial organization model of the middlemen in this conventional food distribution system for developing countries. Since most of the works in this field has adopted an empirical approach, the focus of our study in this paper will be instead on theoretical model. In order to analyze this situation, we borrow several arguments from the theory of imperfect competition. We assume that middlemen have oliopsony and oligopoly power in the up and down stream of the food system. We defined the consumer behavior by discrete choice model and study the quantity flow from small producers to the consumers by mean of Cournot competition. We address the question of land reform policy implication by creating a productivity shock in order to examine the effect of this instrument on the wealth of both farmers and consumers.

scholarly journals Local Farmer Perspectives on Improving Produce Distribution Networks in Low-Income Urban Settings

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 149-149
Author(s):  
Kelley Koeppen ◽  
Dahiany Zayas-Toro ◽  
Nina Martin ◽  
Lisa Poirier ◽  
Emma Lewis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Fresh Produce ◽  
Distribution Networks ◽  
Food Distribution ◽  
Urban Settings ◽  
Market Expansion ◽  
Corner Store ◽  
Corner Stores ◽  
The City ◽  
Local Farmers

Abstract Objectives The Baltimore food system includes small hyper-local urban farms within city limits, larger local farms surrounding the city, and ubiquitous corner stores particularly in low-income neighborhoods of the city. In this system, farmers mainly reach consumers through farmer's markets that are only open for a limited number of hours per week, seasonally, and may not be adequate for meeting the needs of low-income households with low access to fresh produce. To address this gap, our team is working to develop a mobile application (app), called the Baltimore Urban food Distribution (BUD) app, that will provide a platform for farmers to sell their produce directly to corner stores for resale. Our present aims were to: (1) understand farmer's current interactions with corner stores; (2) explore perceived challenges that the BUD app may pose to farmers; and (3) pinpoint how the BUD app can sustainably expand farmers’ market base to include corner stores. Methods After designing a BUD app prototype based on formative research, 1-hour in-depth interviews were conducted with hyper-local and local farmers. Farmers were asked about their current distribution practices within Baltimore and perceived challenges in adopting the app. Farmers were then shown the prototype and asked to provide input on user-friendliness, and interest level in future use of the app. Results Local farmers currently have little to no interaction with corner stores. Interviews revealed that local farmers did not want the responsibility of delivering produce to corner stores due to long travel times. Choosing a central location for pickup by corner store owners, such as a farmer's market, could address this. Farmers liked app features such as product info pages and alerts for deals to support market expansion to corner stores. Social networking opportunities within the app can help foster sustainable relationships among local farmers and corner store owners. Conclusions A stronger distribution network is needed to facilitate increased access to fresh produce in low-income urban settings and strengthen connections between local farmers, corner stores, and consumers. Mobile technology offers a promising approach to improve food distribution between local farmers and corner stores and should be further explored. Funding Sources NHLBI, NIH, award number R34HL145368.

scholarly journals Transformaciones en el sistema alimentario y cambios de dieta en España durante el siglo XX

2018 ◽  
pp. 167-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alicia Langreo ◽  
Luis Germán ◽  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Twentieth Century ◽  
Distribution System ◽  
Spanish Civil War ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Food System ◽  
Food Distribution ◽  
Rapid Expansion ◽  
Food Expenditures ◽  
El Sistema ◽  
Siglo Xx

This article reflects on how changes in the Spanish food system have been instrumental in changing the availability and consumption of foods in the twentieth century. We designed several stages in the study and examined several sectors that have experienced major changes. The first stage refers to the first decades of the twentieth century, prior to the Spanish Civil War, and immediately after the war; the second spans from the early fifties to the beginning of the seventies; and the third go from then until the end of the century. Throughout the first three quarters of the century there were major innovations in agriculture and industry, in contrast to a very poor traditional retail distribution system. In the fourth sections of the article, major changes that occurred during the last quarter of the century in food distribution and growing control over the food chain are analyzed in relation to the rapid expansion and increasing concentration of large-scale retail distribution. These changes affected traditional buying habits and consumption, shifting food expenditures towards higher-quality, healthier, processed and personalized goods; as well as increasing food consumption outside the home.

“I’m Going to Learn, and She’s Going to Become Somebody”: Exploring the Counternarratives of Black Women on Welfare in Urban Communities

2020 ◽  
pp. 004208592098481
Author(s):  
Kaitlin K. Moran
Keyword(s):  
Black Women ◽  
Urban Communities ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Educational Opportunities ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Culture Of Poverty ◽  
Family Structures ◽  
Raising Children ◽  
Qualitative Research Study ◽  
Depth Interviews

This qualitative research study explores counternarratives to stereotypes and assumptions made about Black women on welfare in low-income, urban communities. Findings, based on in-depth interviews with 33 mothers and grandmothers, challenge perceptions of “welfare queens”—breeders of children, absorbed by the culture of poverty, and disinterested in their children’s education. Participants defy stereotypes by raising children in well-supported family structures while gainfully employed, pursuing educational opportunities, or a combination of the two. The women actively contribute to their communities’ culture of wealth by investing in their children. The paper concludes with recommendations and directions for future research.

scholarly journals Obesogenic Environment Case Study from a Food and Nutrition Security Perspective: Hermosillo City

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 407
Author(s):  
Ana Navarro ◽  
María-Isabel Vélez
Keyword(s):  
Food System ◽  
Food Distribution ◽  
Nutritional Deficiencies ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Grocery Stores ◽  
Social Marginalization ◽  
Food And Nutrition Security ◽  
Nutrition Security ◽  
Historical Factors ◽  
Food And Nutrition

Obesity and certain nutritional deficiencies are global health problems that emerge in systems of interdependent individual biological and historical factors and social environmental determinants of health. Nutrition security is a framework that assumes stable access to sufficient innocuous and nutritious food (i.e., food security), health care, and sanitation, and information that in conjunction allows self-care-oriented behavior for health protection. To understand the social environment of nutrition insecurity, the object of study was the food distribution and consumption system of a marginalized community in Hermosillo, Mexico. We assessed the distribution of food establishments by social marginalization level in basic geo-statistical areas and the nutrition security status of women in underserved neighborhoods. We found that in Hermosillo >90% of food establishments included for analysis (grocery stores, supermarkets, convenience stores, and beer deposits) were distributed outside of areas with high levels of social marginalization. The nutrition security assessment suggests that low intakes of fruit and vegetables and high intakes of fat and sugar may be associated with food accessibility and acceptability factors in individual decision-making processes. Future research should take into account the variability of food system environments and address the particular needs of communities in terms of food and nutrition security.

Revisiting the food security system in India in the pandemic era: the case of a Southern Indian state

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vandita Dar ◽  
Madhvi Sethi ◽  
Saina Baby ◽  
S. Dinesh Kumar ◽  
R. Shrinivas
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Distribution System ◽  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
Cash Transfers ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Alternative Mechanism ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Indian State ◽  
Depth Interviews

PurposeThe objective of this paper was twofold-revisiting the in-kind public distribution system (PDS) – India's flagship food security intervention and seeking beneficiary perspectives on its efficacy. The feasibility of cash transfers as an alternative mechanism is also examined, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.Design/methodology/approachPrimary and secondary data from the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu were used. In-depth interviews with beneficiaries using phenomenology were conducted to evaluate their perception and willingness to shift to a cash-based PDS in the pre and post-pandemic periods. Secondary district-level data were also used to ascertain institutional preparedness for this shift.FindingsIn-depth interviews of 105 beneficiaries revealed valuable insights, which seem to have significantly changed post-pandemic. Beneficiaries in the post-pandemic period seem much more inclined toward cash transfers, though a combination of cash plus in-kind benefits seems to be strongly preferred. Secondary results pointed out to the lack of institutional preparedness in financial inclusion. The research suggested that while the existing PDS needs to be overhauled, policymakers should look at a model of cash plus in-kind transfers as a probable alternative to pure cash transfers.Originality/valueThere is a dearth of in-depth state-specific studies on beneficiary perception of PDS, and this is important since the economic and sociocultural milieu in each region is unique. Being the only state with universal food security, its experience could yield important insights for other states or even middle or low-income countries similar to India.

Drivers for continued use of a direct marketing channel: evidence from Thai farmers

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Haruhiko Iba ◽  
Apichaya Lilavanichakul
Keyword(s):  
Distribution System ◽  
Direct Marketing ◽  
Marketing Channel ◽  
Marketing Channels ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Key Drivers ◽  
Continued Use ◽  
Farm Business ◽  
Depth Interviews

PurposeThis study aims to identify the key drivers influencing the success of farmers who employ direct marketing at wholesale markets. The diversification of the distribution system in Thailand has created many challenges for farmers, with diversified farm businesses struggling to survive and to ensure profitability across channels. Direct marketing channels at wholesale markets provide farmers the opportunity to develop a new farm business division.Design/methodology/approachThe study consists of qualitative and quantitative approaches. First, in-depth interviews with farmers were conducted, and selected case studies were employed to develop a research framework and design the questionnaire. Second, the questionnaire survey was conducted. Using factor analysis and logistic regression, farmers' data were studied to define the factors of success in direct marketing.FindingsThree key drivers were examined and verified. The findings indicate that the development of direct marketing channels requires farmers to efficiently allocate family labour, possess negotiation skills and manage a farmer network. Particularly, the presence of negotiation skills coupled with digital technology can enable farmers to expand the market and build their network.Research limitations/implicationsTwo marketing channels have been explored. However, more choices in marketing channels utilizing digital resources should be addressed in future research.Originality/valueThis is the first empirical study to define the drivers leading Thai farmers to continue employing a direct marketing channel.

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