Evaluation of the California FreshWorks Fund Initiative: Are stores providing healthier food?

INTRODUCTION
The disparity in neighborhood food retail environments that exists in low-income communities throughout California is alarming since those who live near full-service grocery stores are more likely to eat recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables and are less likely to become obese. The California Endowment’s California FreshWorks Fund Initiative (CFWF) is a $260 million public-private partnership loan fund that provides financing of fresh food retail and distribution in underserved communities in California. The evaluation aims to understand the influence of CFWF on increasing access to healthy food and changing food purchase and consumption patterns in underserved communities.

METHODS

This paper focuses on the results of the store observational assessments using Nutrition Environment Measures Survey in Stores and the Grocery Marketing Environment Assessment in the two CFWF-funded stores and 6-8 surrounding comparison stores.

RESULTS

Descriptive analysis will describe the differences in the neighborhood food environment to document the presence, placement, quality, promotion, and price of healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables and low-fat dairy options. Findings will describe access to healthy food and specific less-healthy items, including availability of fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy and whole grains as well as sugary beverages and bakery items.

DISCUSSION

Findings will contribute to understanding the influence of CFWF on increasing access to healthy affordable food in underserved communities. The research will also help determine whether the CFWF-funded stores filled an unmet need for grocery services, thereby addressing the need for healthy retail in low-resource communities with residents at high risk for obesity.