In the Absence of Garden of Eden, Where Do Newark's Southward Residents Purchase Fresh Produce?

Geographic assessment literature on urban neighborhoods indicate that the availability of fresh produce in local supermarkets is dependent on both income and racial composition; this holds true for Newark's Southward (SW) residents.

The purpose of this study is to undertake a preliminary investigation into the availability of fresh produce within SW and the purchasing behavior of the residents taking into consideration the accessibility, cost and quality of these products at the local supermarkets, grocery and corner stores serving the area.

Methods: five, one-hour supermarket observations were conducted along with a six-item-self administered questionnaire to collect 75 surveys of area residents.GIS (ArcView 9.2, GIS) was used to map produce venues and public transportation routes.

Preliminary Results: more than half of the participants were females 55-75 years of age, they were less likely to not own cars (85%), were more likely to shop at corner stores (90%) and spent over $ 25 on produce alone (70%). Cars owners drive up to 30 minutes to access fresh and affordable produce. Area-based assessment revealed the presence of 5 local grocery stores and over 60 corner stores within the SW, however, the fruits and vegetables available at these venues were expensive and generally of low quality. No large chain supermarkets operate within the boundaries of the SW.

Conclusion: the lack of affordable fresh fruits and vegetables can have significant negative impact on residents' health status. These findings therefore warrant further study.