Barriers to and Facilitators of Stocking Healthy Food Options: Viewpoints of Baltimore City Small Storeowners. Issue 1 (2nd January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kim, Mhinjine; Budd, Nadine; Batorsky, Benjamin; Krubiner, Carleigh; Manchikanti, Swathi; Waldrop, Greer; Trude, Angela; Gittelsohn, Joel
• Is Part Of: Ecology of food and nutrition. Volume 56:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: 17
• Page End: 30
• Publication Date: 2017-01-02
• Subjects: Corner stores -- food environment -- formative research -- nutrition intervention; Nutrition -- Periodicals; Food -- Periodicals; 641
• DOI: 10.1080/03670244.2016.1246361
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0367-0244

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Receptivity to strategies to improve the food environment by increasing access to healthier foods in small food stores is underexplored. We conducted 20 in-depth interviews with small storeowners of different ethnic backgrounds as part of a small-store intervention trial. Store owners perceived barriers and facilitators to purchase, stock, and promote healthy foods. Barriers mentioned included customer preferences for higher fat and sweeter taste and for lower prices; lower wholesaler availability of healthy food; and customers' lack of interest in health. Most store owners thought positively of taste tests, free samples, and communication interventions. However, they varied in terms of their expectations of the effect of these strategies on customers' healthy food purchases. The findings reported add to the limited data on motivating and working with small-store owners in low-income urban settings.