Disparaties in access to fresh produce among food pantry clients in Los Angeles

Background Access to fresh produce and other healthy foods differs between poor ethnic and wealthier nonethnic neighborhoods. Food pantry clients, many living in poor ethnic neighborhoods, are at highest risk for inadequate intake of fruits and vegetables as emergency food assistance often does not include a supply of fresh produce. This study examined to what extent food pantry clients live within reasonable walking distance of stores carrying fresh produce and proposes a strategy to increase accessibility of produce to food pantry clients. Methods Addresses for 3985 food pantry clients residing in Pomona in 2003 and 84 food stores categorized as selling a “variety of produce” or “limited produce” were geocoded using GIS technology. A 0.8 km network distance threshold was used to measure access to stores. Cluster areas with high densities of food pantry clients, or hotspots were determined. Results Forty‐one percent of Pomona residents were within walking distance of a store with fresh produce. Eighty three percent were within walking distance of stores with limited produce and thirteen percent were not within walking distance of either store type. Seventeen cluster areas of food pantry clients accounted for 48% of clients with no access to a produce store. Conclusions Using point data allowed for the identification of significant numbers of food pantry clients with limited access to stores carrying a selection of fresh produce. Identification of the location of high concentrations of food pantry clients provides a potential solution to increase fresh fruit and vegetable access via mobile produce trucks.