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Building a Healthier Jackson County: Encouraging healthy food access through small retail environments in neighborhoods with low access to healthy food
In 2011, the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) received a Community Transformation Grant to support chronic disease reduction in Jackson County, Missouri. MARC has partnered with the three public health departments that serve Jackson County: Kansas City, Independence, and Jackson County Health Departments. According to the Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance System, 30% of Jackson County is obese and this rate has increased since 2004.
APPROACH
In order to increase access to healthful food in neighborhoods with limited access to healthy food, neighborhoods were invited to nominate corner stores to participate. Four stores were selected and assessed. Action plans were created to improve food options. Surveys were completed before changes in inventory took place to document items people buy at the stores, desire for healthier items, and barriers to eating healthy.
RESULTS
Intercept surveys conducted reported that 61% of customers purchase food at the stores at least once per week. The most frequently observed food items purchased were chips and regular soda. However, 49% were very interested in more healthy food options at the store. Neighborhood surveys indicated that 35% of the neighbors drive more than 10 minutes to obtain fresh fruits and vegetables. Barriers to eating fresh produce include cost and spoilage.
DISCUSSION
The corner store initiative has established a process to recruit stores, assess their status and assess the buying and eating habits of customers and neighbors. Results from initial surveys indicate a desire for healthy food but also point out challenges to changing healthy food access.
Learning Areas:
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programsLearning Objectives:
Describe a comprehensive evaluation procedure to assess a healthy retail initiative.
Compare two different approaches to recruit small retail businesses to healthy corner store initiatives.
List different food groups to consider in a healthy corner store assessment.
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been the Program Manager for the Jackson County Community Transformation Grant since the beginning of 2012. I am responsible for coordinating the CTG related activities between MARC, the three health departments serving Jackson County, and other stakeholders. I am also responsible for monitoring evaluation and data collection activities related to CTG. Finally, I am involved with general administration of the grant.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.