How salient are race and socioeconomic status in the food shopping experiences of childcare workers of different backgrounds?

Background: There is growing interest in how local food environments contribute to social inequalities in diet. This study explored perceptions of local food environments and access to healthy foods in a racially and socioeconomically diverse population: childcare workers in New Jersey.

Method: Semi-structured interview guides were developed using a socioecological framework. Focus groups and interviews were conducted with childcare workers (n = 25) about food shopping practices, foods available at their regular stores, and affective and interpersonal experiences while shopping.

Results: All participants were female: some single/living alone, some married/living with partner, approximately half living with children. Center #1 participants were predominantly White and middle class; Center #2 participants were predominantly African- or Caribbean American/Black and lower SES, several utilizing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. At both centers, shopping costs, time, and convenience were major themes. Center #1 participants spoke about challenges finding diet-specific foods such as kosher, organic, and gluten-free. At Center #2, these foods were mentioned infrequently, mainly by married participants. Stronger themes were keeping children satisfied, coping with overweight/obesity, finding healthy ingredients, and food storage/safety. Themes of discomfort and discrimination at some stores were more common at Center #2, with race being mentioned mainly by single Black women with children. Black women with comparatively higher SES described greater comfort with “higher-end” stores than lower SES Black or White women.

Conclusions: Food access is important and challenging for families of diverse backgrounds, with complex and dynamic interrelationships between race, SES, household composition, and food priorities.