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Improving Access in Food Deserts: A Case Study in an Urban Midwestern Neighborhood
Author(s) -
Gibson Cheryl A,
Endicott Diana,
Pritchard Corie C
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.27.1_supplement.221.1
Subject(s) - environmental health , obesity , business , purchasing , healthy food , general partnership , medicine , geography , marketing , food science , chemistry , finance
Food deserts are a persistent challenge in urban districts. Because of lack of access to full line grocery stores most dietary choices that are readily available are highly processed items with elevated saturated fat and/or sugar and low nutrient density. As a result, community members in areas designated as food deserts are at an increased risk for obesity, diabetes, heart disease and hypertension. One solution for increasing access to fresh fruits and vegetables is partnering with a faith based organization and creating a farmer's market in a church. Through partnership with the church, local farmers and community members, this market has increased access to fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meats and dairy for residents of this neighborhood. Access has been increased not only by providing a market within a food desert, but also by implementing EBT match for visitors to the market. In addition to increasing access to fresh foods, education on nutrition, physical activity and chronic disease has also been implemented. Through surveys administered to customers and members of the church, we have tracked dietary intake, chronic disease and purchasing habits over the past year in an effort to evaluate what impact the church has had on the most vulnerable in the community, particularly the very young and the elderly. Funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation