Focus Area: Food Access

Tools for Healthy Tribes: Improving Access to Healthy Foods in Indian Country

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This paper describes how the American Indian Healthy Eating Project evolved through five phases: 1) starting the conversation; 2) conducting multidisciplinary formative research; 3) strengthening partnerships and tailoring policy options; 4) disseminating community-generated ideas; and 5) accelerating action while fostering sustainability. The article discusses each phase’s essential steps, outcomes derived, and lessons learned. Collectively, these More

Stocking Characteristics and Perceived Increases in Sales Among Small Food Store Managers/Owners Associated with the Introduction of New Food Products Approved by the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children

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Implementation of the 2009 Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) food package has implications for WIC-authorized store managers/owners who had to modify their stock to meet the demands of their WIC customers and to maintain their WIC authorization. This paper examines perceived sales, product selection, and stocking habits of small WIC-authorized More

Small Retailer Perspectives of the 2009 Women, Infants and Children Program Food Package Changes

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In 2009, the U.S. Department of Agriculture implemented changes to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) food package. This paper explores the perceptions of owners and managers of small food stores about implementation successes and challenges related to the new WIC package. Findings from qualitative interviews across seven states indicate More

Differential Associations Between the Food Environment Near Schools and Childhood Overweight Across Race/Ethnicity, Gender, and Grade

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This paper discusses the results of a study that tested whether the associations between franchised fast-food restaurants or convenience store density near schools and childhood overweight varied by race/ethnicity, sex, and grade. Using data for 926,018 racially/ethnically diverse children in fifth, seventh, or ninth grade in 6,362 public California schools, researchers documented four findings in More

Healthier Home Food Preparation Methods and Youth and Caregiver Psychosocial Factors are Associated with Lower BMI in African American Youth

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This paper discusses the results of a study which examined the relationship between home food preparation and adolescent body mass index (BMI) in a sample of 240 African American adolescents and their caregivers in Baltimore, Md. Researchers found that meals prepared at home in African American households do not necessarily promote healthy BMI in youth. More

Measures of the Food Environment

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This website provides a compilation of articles that include community-level measures of the food environment, as well as some of the instruments themselves. The food environment is defined to include food stores, restaurants, schools and worksites. This website is updated on a weekly basis.

Children’s Very Low Food Security is Associated with Increased Dietary Intakes in Energy, Fat, and Added Sugar among Mexican-Origin Children (6-11 y) in Texas Border Colonias

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This article assess the relationship between children’s experience of food insecurity and nutrient intake from food and beverages among Mexican-origin children (ages 6-11 years) who resided in Texas border colonias. Child food security measures and 24-hour dietary recall data were collected in Spanish by trained promotora-researchers. Researchers found that 64 percent of children reported low More