Appalachian Store Owners' and Managers' Perspectives on the Role of Their Store in the Community and in Providing Healthier Food to the Community. Issue 1 (2nd January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Anderson Steeves, Elizabeth T.; McElrone, Marissa; Grier-Welch, Adeline; Zimmer, Meghan C.; Daves, Phillip
• Is Part Of: Ecology of food and nutrition. Volume 59:Issue 1(2020)
• Page Start: 47
• Page End: 64
• Publication Date: 2020-01-02
• Subjects: Appalachia -- healthy food retail -- convenience store -- store owner -- supply chain; Nutrition -- Periodicals; Food -- Periodicals; 641
• DOI: 10.1080/03670244.2019.1661839
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0367-0244

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Appalachian communities have lower access to healthier food sources like grocery stores. Through semi-structured interviews with owner/managers of convenience stores in Appalachian communities, this qualitative study explored perceived roles and business practices of small food retailers using a grounded theory approach. Five themes emerged including strong relationships between stores and customers, the role of the store in community, food and beverage stocking decisions, store owner/managers' perceived demand for healthier options, and federal food assistance program participation. The themes provide insight to store owner/manager perspectives on community-focused and business-focused priorities in Appalachian convenience stores and can inform healthy retail interventions.