Understanding Access to Healthy Foods and Grocery Shopping Patterns Among Community Residents in Underserved Neighborhoods in Tampa, Florida
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2020
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1093/cdn/nzaa043_045
Abstract
Objectives:It is widely accepted that low-income and racial/ethnic minority neighborhoods are disproportionately affected by diet-related adverse health outcomes. Access to healthy foods has also been shown to be a determinant of more optimal dietary intake and health. This study aimed to conduct a survey to examine grocery shopping patterns and food access among community residents in underserved neighborhoods; the study was conducted in partnership with community organizations. Methods: A survey was administered cross-sectionally. Twenty-seven questions adapted from previous research regarding grocery shopping patterns and food access were included. Community residents aged ≥18 years in East Tampa, a designated Florida Community Redevelopment Area (CRA), were recruited at community events/meetings, and an online version of the survey was distributed through the email listserv of community partners. A total of 126 residents participated; the majority was African American, female, and ≥35 years of age. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. GIS mapping was subsequently used to examine the residents’ accessibility to grocery stores within the neighborhoods. Results: The majority (58%) of the participants reported that they usually buy most of their groceries at supermarkets, followed by large chain stores (41%), farmers markets (11%), and discount stores (10%). There were 4 major stores in the neighborhoods identified as preferred grocery stores. Most participants indicated that they use cash (52%) or EBT card (30%) for grocery shopping, and 33% regularly get food from food pantries. Most residents use their own cars (76%) for transportation and indicated that it takes ≤30 minutes (87%) to get their groceries. Ninety participants (71%) indicated that a new supermarket nearby would help them get food easier, followed by a new farmers market. In an open-ended question, some reported that mobile food trucks or delivery services would make it easier to get the foods. A specific location for a new supermarket was identified by each participant. Conclusions: Community residents demanded a new supermarket or farmers market with better variety of fresh produce. The results of this study have been discussed with the community partners and the CRA advisory committee.
Citation / Publisher Attribution
Current Developments in Nutrition, v. 4, issue Supplement_2, p. 194
Scholar Commons Citation
Gray, Heewon; Berumen, Jessica; Lovett, Sharonda; Himmelgreen, David; Biswas, Dipayan; Bohn, Joe; Peacock, Caitlyn; Buro, Acadia; and Arsdale, Whitney Van, "Understanding Access to Healthy Foods and Grocery Shopping Patterns Among Community Residents in Underserved Neighborhoods in Tampa, Florida" (2020). Community and Family Health Faculty Publications. 53.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/cfh_facpub/53
