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Increasing access to fresh produce by pairing urban farms with corner stores: a case study in a low-income urban setting.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE:Our objective was to pilot collaborations between two urban farms with two corner stores to increase access to fresh produce in low-income neighbourhoods. DESIGN:We conducted a pre-post evaluation of two farm-store collaborations using quantitative distribution and sales data. Using semi-structured interviews, we qualitatively assessed feasibility of implementation and collaboration acceptability to farmers and storeowners. SETTING:Low-income urban neighbourhoods in Baltimore, MD, USA in 2012. SUBJECTS:Pair #1 included a 0·25 acre (0·1 ha) urban farm with a store serving local residents and was promoted by the neighbourhood association. Pair #2 included a 2 acre (0·8 ha) urban farm with a store serving bus commuters. RESULTS:Produce was delivered all nine intervention weeks in both pairs. Pair #1 produced a significant increase in the mean number of produce varieties carried in the store by 11·3 (P<0·01) and sold 86 % of all items delivered. Pair #2 resulted in a non-significant increase in the number of produce varieties carried by 2·2 (P=0·44) and sold 63 % of all items delivered. CONCLUSIONS:Our case study suggests that pairing urban farms with corner stores for produce distribution may be feasible and could be a new model to increase access to fruits and vegetables among low-income urban neighbourhoods. For future programmes to be successful, strong community backing may be vital to support produce sales.

SUBMITTER: Gudzune KA

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4524788 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Increasing access to fresh produce by pairing urban farms with corner stores: a case study in a low-income urban setting.

Gudzune Kimberly A KA Welsh Claire C Lane Elisa E Chissell Zach Z Anderson Steeves Elizabeth E Gittelsohn Joel J

Public health nutrition 20150204 15

<h4>Objective</h4>Our objective was to pilot collaborations between two urban farms with two corner stores to increase access to fresh produce in low-income neighbourhoods.<h4>Design</h4>We conducted a pre-post evaluation of two farm-store collaborations using quantitative distribution and sales data. Using semi-structured interviews, we qualitatively assessed feasibility of implementation and collaboration acceptability to farmers and storeowners.<h4>Setting</h4>Low-income urban neighbourhoods ...[more]

PMID: 25649045

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Project description:Background:American Indians and Alaska Natives experience diet-related health disparities compared with non-Hispanic whites. Navajo Nation's colonial history and remote setting present unique challenges for healthy food access. Objective:This study aims to understand the impact of the Healthy Navajo Stores Initiative (HNSI) on fruit and vegetable purchasing on Navajo Nation. Methods:We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 692 customers shopping at 28 convenience stores, trading posts, and grocery stores on Navajo Nation. Individual- and household-level sociodemographic data and food purchasing behaviors were collected. Descriptive and bivariate analyses for customers' individual- and household-level characteristics were conducted using chi-squared tests. The impact of individual-, household-, and store-level factors on fruit and vegetable purchasing was assessed using multiple logistic regression modeling. Results:Store participation in the HNSI was significantly associated with customers' purchase of produce. Customers experienced 150% higher odds of purchasing produce if they shopped in participating stores, compared with nonparticipating stores (P < 0.001). Store type was strongly associated with customers' purchase of fruits or vegetables. Customers shopping at a grocery store had 520% higher odds of purchasing produce than did customers shopping at convenience stores (P < 0.001). Customers shopping at trading posts had 120% higher odds of purchasing fruits or vegetables than did customers shopping at convenience stores (P = 0.001). Conclusions:Our findings reveal increased produce purchasing at stores participating in the HNSI. Customers were significantly more likely to purchase fruits or vegetables in stores enrolled in a healthy store intervention than in nonenrolled stores, after controlling for quantity of produce stocked and store type. Customers shopping in grocery stores and trading posts were significantly more likely to purchase produce than customers shopping in convenience stores. These findings have implications for food access in rural tribal communities.

Project description:BackgroundEmerging evidence suggests social, health, environmental, and economic benefits of urban agriculture (UA). However, limited work has characterized the risks from metal contaminant exposures faced by urban growers and consumers of urban-grown produce.ObjectivesWe aimed to answer community-driven questions about the safety of UA and the consumption of urban-grown produce by measuring concentrations of nine metals in the soil, irrigation water, and urban-grown produce across urban farms and gardens in Baltimore, Maryland.MethodsWe measured concentrations of 6 nonessential [arsenic (As), barium (Ba), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni)] and three essential [copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn)] metals in soil, irrigation water, and 13 types of urban-grown produce collected from 104 UA sites. We compared measured concentrations to existing public health guidelines and analyzed relationships between urban soil and produce concentrations. In the absence of guidelines for metals in produce, we compared metals concentrations in urban-grown produce with those in produce purchased from farmers markets and grocery stores (both conventionally grown and U.S. Department of Agriculture-certified organic).ResultsMean concentrations of all measured metals in irrigation water were below public health guidelines. Mean concentrations of nonessential metals in growing area soils were below public health guidelines for Ba, Cd, Pb, and Ni and at or below background for As and Cr. Though we observed a few statistically significant differences in concentrations between urban and nonurban produce items for some combinations, no consistent or discernable patterns emerged.DiscussionScreening soils for heavy metals is a critical best practice for urban growers. Given limitations in existing public health guidelines for metals in soil, irrigation water, and produce, additional exposure assessment is necessary to quantify potential human health risks associated with exposure to nonessential metals when engaging in UA and consuming urban-grown produce. Conversely, the potential health benefits of consuming essential metals in urban-grown produce also merit further research. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP9431.

Dataset Information

Increasing access to fresh produce by pairing urban farms with corner stores: a case study in a low-income urban setting.

Publications

Increasing access to fresh produce by pairing urban farms with corner stores: a case study in a low-income urban setting.

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