Scores for Stores: A unique scoring approach for communicating and evaluating store quality

It is well documented that there are fewer healthy food stores and more convenience stores and small markets in low-income areas. Data on retail food store quality in low-income neighborhoods can expose inequities in food access and highlight food assets. The California Department of Public Health developed a grocery store survey tool and unique scoring method as part of its Communities of Excellence in Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity Prevention (CX3) framework for use by local health departments. The survey collects data on nine characteristics that contribute to a positive retail food setting with a possible 100-point total score. Food marketing and promotions receive points, but the majority of points are in food access and availability. Stores receiving at least 75 points are deemed “quality stores”. Algorithms automatically calculate scores from the raw data for a localized analysis for each store and neighborhood. From 2007 – 2010, local health departments collected data on over 520 stores in 94 low-income neighborhoods. Preliminary findings show 80% of stores in the neighborhoods were small markets and convenience stores. None of the convenience stores and only 7% of small markets had quality scores. About 13% of stores were supermarkets and large grocery stores, the vast majority with scores over 75 points. Store scores make it easier to communicate findings. How store scores are used by local health departments to effectively communicate food access issues, mobilize community action and implement interventions as well as used for evaluation purposes to measure outcomes will be presented.