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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Quentin J. Moore, MPH, Donna McLean, PhD, Stephanie Halfmann, MS, RD, and Brandess Wallace, MPH. HPDP/Cardiovascular Health, Nutrition and Physical Activity, Michigan Public Health Institute, 2438 Woodlake Circle, Ste. 240, Okemos, MI 48864, 517.324.7305, qmoore@mphi.org

A fresh fruit and vegetable mini-mart model was created in Southeast Michigan and Detroit due to the lack of major grocery stores with fresh, affordable produce within the city and the strong infrastructure of African American churches with an established role in promoting supportive health behaviors. The mini-marts provided convenient access to fruits and vegetables for low-income residents. Ten church sites were provided trainings and materials to develop and sustain fresh fruit and vegetable mini-marts. The churches received information on health and wellness programs, educational materials and resources, and technical assistance in marketing, procuring, pricing, preparing and storing of produce during eight-month project period. Outcomes were collected on consumer awareness and consumption of fruit and vegetables and physical activity during the implementation phase of the fruit and vegetable mini-mart using a retrospective pretest design. The churches implemented fruit and vegetable mini-marts, conducted health screenings, education sessions and point of service advertisements reaching over 25,000 residents. Surveys of consumers showed positive change: 1) Over 150 mini-marts were conducted by 10 churches in metro Detroit 2) Over 50 faith leaders were trained on implementing a health and wellness program on fruit and vegetable mini-marts 3) 8,500 consumers purchased produce at the fruit and vegetable mini-marts 4) Consumers were reached an average of 4 times through healthy eating and physical activity programs 5) Eating 2 or more fruits per day increased from 60.3% to 82.8% 6) Eating 3 or more vegetables per day increased from 39.1% to 63.9% 7) Moderate exercise 4 or more hours/per week increased from 22.7% to 39.9% 8) Vigorous exercise 4 or more hours/per week increased from 17.9% to 25.1% Strong partnerships with the faith-based, public health and business community were beneficial in the success of the initiative and helped to create an on-going structure for future success. The development and evaluation of a model for creating and implementing fruit and vegetable mini-marts helped create a healthy environment for select communities in Southeast Michigan. Working through the faith-based community can help create environmental change through promotion and access—ideally leading to reduction in morbidity and mortality among communities, particularly communities of color.

Learning Objectives:

• 1. Understand the process for developing, implementing and evaluating a faith-based fruit and vegetable mini-mart
• 2. Describe an effective partnership between public health, faith and business leaders in an urban community based program
• 3. Identify effective marketing strategies to increase purchases and consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables among low income residents

Keywords: Access, Food and Nutrition

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered