Fruit and Vegetable Access and Price Differences by Store Type Across Six Chicago Communities

Fruit and vegetable access is often limited in low income urban areas, and documentation of access problems can be helpful in remedying the problem. As part of a larger Chicago area community food security assessment, market basket surveys were collected and analyzed from retail food stores in six Chicago Community Areas. Areas were selected to achieve a balance across ethnicity, age, health indicators, geographic distribution, and socioeconomic status. Four ethnic modules were developed to complement the USDA Thrifty Food Plan market basket list. A proportional random sample by store type (chain supermarkets, independent supermarkets, independent grocery stores, convenience stores, liquor stores that sell food, food marts within gas stations, drug stores) was selected for each case study area, and location visually verified. Two trained research assistants collected data from each of the selected stores using the relevant modules for each community after obtaining the store owner's or manager's permission. Collected data were analyzed with SPSS for availability and price using the USDA algorithm. This paper presents fruit and vegetable availability and price by community area and across the city by store type. Aggregated availability and price data for each case study area are presented by store type, food group and modules used, along with the overall price of the weekly market basket by store type within a particular community. Findings are also presented for all of the case study areas by store type and price.