Developing practice based metrics of food accessibility in low-income neighborhoods

Context: Current measures of food accessibility rely heavily on supply based measures, such as the proximity to local supermarkets. However, these measures are not always predictive of food consumption and dietary health outcomes (Lee, 2012; Caspi et al., 2012). This research project has taken an alternative approach, focusing on the food procurement practices of low-income individuals.

Methods: This mixed methods project was conducted in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota. Neighborhood level data on benefit usage for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) was analyzed to identify the stores at which benefits were used during fiscal year 2010. Residents of two low-income neighborhoods (total n=38) kept a detailed food and travel diary for a five day study period. Semi-structured interviews with these study participants focused on the factors influencing their food shopping. 

Results: Data on SNAP utilization shows that residents often travel outside their neighborhoods for major shopping trips, even when supermarkets are nearby. Independent and discount food retailers (such as Aldi) are heavily used for local shopping, while supermarkets are often the destination for longer trips. Participant interviews confirmed this trend, with participants citing higher prices, poor food quality, and neighborhood safety as factors shaping their shopping decisions. 

Discussion: This data demonstrates that prevalent measures of healthy food access, such as those utilized by the USDA, fail to capture the complexity of individuals' food procurement decisions. More sophisticated measures, incorporating data on food shopping practices, would provide better guidance for how to improve food accessibility and dietary health.