Premium
Engaging a disadvantaged community with a fruit and vegetable box scheme
Author(s) -
Zorbas Christina,
McCartan Julia,
De Mel Randini,
Narendra Karthika,
Tassone Eliza C.,
Yin Ebony,
Palermo Claire
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
health promotion journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.515
H-Index - 32
eISSN - 2201-1617
pISSN - 1036-1073
DOI - 10.1002/hpja.28
Subject(s) - disadvantaged , psychological intervention , community engagement , community health , environmental health , gerontology , health promotion , qualitative research , intervention (counseling) , medicine , social marketing , public relations , public health , nursing , political science , sociology , social science , law
Issue addressed Interventions which target the determinants of unhealthy diets are required to promote healthy eating and reduce the burdens of diet‐related diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and some cancers. Methods Qualitative interviews (n = 12) were conducted to explore the perspectives and experiences of local stakeholders regarding the implementation and uptake of a healthy eating initiative (a fruit and vegetable box scheme) in a disadvantaged, regional community. Results Factors affecting the community's engagement included marketing strategies, customer experiences, a community‐centred approach, partnerships and logistics. Conclusions Community engagement is often essential for an intervention to be effective. The factors which influence community engagement should be considered during planning, especially when targeting disadvantaged groups. So what? Behavioural change interventions may continue to be met with limited success if community engagement and the overarching structural barriers to healthy eating are not addressed.