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Online Program

320041
Impact of a new local food market on low-income neighborhood availability of fresh fruits and vegetables


Monday, November 2, 2015 : 2:50 p.m. - 3:10 p.m.

Lara Jaskiewicz, PhD, MBA, MPH, School of Public, Nonprofit, and Health Administration, Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, MI
Lisa Sisson, MM, RD, Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, MI
Little is known about how new food markets in food deserts impact the availability of fresh fruits and vegetables in nearby retailers and restaurants. The opening of a new outdoor (seasonal) and indoor (year-round) food market in Grand Rapids, Michigan, provided the opportunity to identify the impact on neighborhood fresh fruit and vegetable availability.

Using modified versions of the FEAD-N and NEMS-R instruments, we surveyed stores and restaurants within a 0.75 mile radius of the new market at opening and 1 year later, on fresh fruit and vegetable availability. There were 10 stores at baseline and 11 stores at follow-up (including the new market and farmers’ market). The number of restaurants increased from 53 to 58, with the majority being sit-down establishments (34 and 35 respectively). None scored high on the NEMS-R for healthfulness.

At baseline, only four stores sold fresh fruits or vegetables, and only two sold more than 10 varieties. At follow-up, 6 of the 11 stores sold fresh fruits and vegetables. Both stores sold fresh fruit, but only one sold fresh vegetables. The number of stores selling more than 10 varieties of fresh produce increased by two. There was no statistical change in the NEMS-R scores of the restaurants between time periods. One year after the opening of a new farmers’ market and indoor food market, the market provided the only increase in fresh fruit and vegetable availability.

Learning Areas:

Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs

Learning Objectives:
Assess the impact of a new market on community access to fresh produce

Keyword(s): Accessibility, Food Security

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I co-developed, conducted and analyzed this study.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 3344.0: Addressing Food Security and Food Access by Improving Food Availability in Neighborhood Corner Stores and Small Food Stores