The Role of Social Issues on Food Procurement among Corner Store Owners and Shoppers. Issue 1 (2nd January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: BeLue, Rhonda; NDao, Fatou; McClure, Stephanie; Alexander, Suzanne; Walker, Renee
• Is Part Of: Ecology of food and nutrition. Volume 59:Issue 1(2020)
• Page Start: 35
• Page End: 46
• Publication Date: 2020-01-02
• Subjects: Food procurement -- SNAP -- community corner store -- healthy eating barriers -- low income families; Nutrition -- Periodicals; Food -- Periodicals; 641
• DOI: 10.1080/03670244.2019.1659789
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0367-0244

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Objective: We assessed corner store shopper and owner perceptions, barriers, and enablers related to food procurement in a sample of neighborhood corner stores where over 50% of families are SNAP eligible. Design: We conducted semi-structured interviews to identify inventory stocking, shopping and marketing approaches, and perspectives on healthy eating. Participants: Five corner store owners and 20 corner store shoppers. Results: Corner store owners: 1) did not feel as though they belonged to the community where their corner store was located; 2) had difficulty in becoming authorized WIC retailers because of the perceived complexity of the process, and 3) stated tobacco products and hot food items are their best-selling items; fruits and vegetables were perceived as unmarketable. Corner store shoppers preferred shopping at local corner stores because: 1) lack of transportation made corner stores easier to access than full-service grocery stores; 2) hot foods are readily available and inexpensive; 3) some home kitchens lacked an oven or stovetop for meal preparation; 4) they need to shop daily for children or other family members. Conclusions: Social issues such as housing quality, corner store owner sense of community, and acculturation should be addressed when considering food environment in limited resource communities.