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A large portion of preschool-aged children in the United States (US) do not consume enough fruits and vegetables (FV). It is important for childcare providers to know what food choices children in their care are making at mealtime and how to encourage them to eat more FV. The objective of this pilot study was to examine the relationship between FV preference and plate waste among pre-school aged children in a childcare setting using a rapid assessment tool. The rapid assessment tool was first pilot tested with 23 children and revised. A repeated cross-sectional design was carried out for three days during fall 2016 in one childcare center. Over three days, the research team collected 100 FV plate waste observations from 30 children who were surveyed simultaneously about their preference (did not try, tried, liked, loved) towards FV. Food preference for FV by preschool children is significantly (p < 0.05) related to plate waste and age. Children that indicated they loved a fruit or vegetable generated the least plate waste. Children that indicated that they did not try a fruit or vegetable generated the most plate waste. FV preference and plate waste are significantly and inversely correlated. The rapid assessment tool developed should be validated to be used in implementing strategies that increase child preferences and consumption of FV that support lifelong healthy eating behaviors.
Carmen Byker Shanks; Allison Milodragovich; Erin Smith; Betty Izumi; Lacy Stephens; Selena Ahmed. Preference for fruits and vegetables is linked to plate waste among preschool children. SSM - Population Health 2021, 100908 .
AMA StyleCarmen Byker Shanks, Allison Milodragovich, Erin Smith, Betty Izumi, Lacy Stephens, Selena Ahmed. Preference for fruits and vegetables is linked to plate waste among preschool children. SSM - Population Health. 2021; ():100908.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCarmen Byker Shanks; Allison Milodragovich; Erin Smith; Betty Izumi; Lacy Stephens; Selena Ahmed. 2021. "Preference for fruits and vegetables is linked to plate waste among preschool children." SSM - Population Health , no. : 100908.
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) successfully improves participant nutrition, but program effectiveness is threatened by retail shopping challenges, which may reduce benefit redemption and participant retention. Focus groups with WIC participants examined barriers to using WIC benefits and potential strategies to improve redemption. The analysis included a three-pass qualitative process using deductive and inductive thematic analysis. Barriers included confusion over finding eligible products, difficulty checking out, and perceived stigma. Strategies included promotion and strategic placement of approved items and better customer service. Retailer practices and regional policy amendments are potential strategies for improving the WIC shopping experience and program effectiveness.
Lucia Leone; Lindsey Haynes-Maslow; Christina Kasprzak; Samina Raja; Leonard H. Epstein. The WIC Shopping Experience: A Qualitative Study Examining Retail-based Strategies to Increase WIC Retention and Redemption Rates. Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition 2021, 1 -15.
AMA StyleLucia Leone, Lindsey Haynes-Maslow, Christina Kasprzak, Samina Raja, Leonard H. Epstein. The WIC Shopping Experience: A Qualitative Study Examining Retail-based Strategies to Increase WIC Retention and Redemption Rates. Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition. 2021; ():1-15.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLucia Leone; Lindsey Haynes-Maslow; Christina Kasprzak; Samina Raja; Leonard H. Epstein. 2021. "The WIC Shopping Experience: A Qualitative Study Examining Retail-based Strategies to Increase WIC Retention and Redemption Rates." Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition , no. : 1-15.
Objective: To test the feasibility of implementing and evaluating a healthier checkout pilot study in a convenience store chain. Design: A quasi-experimental study was conducted comparing a 3-month ‘healthier checkouts’ intervention in ten convenience stores which stocked eight healthier items in the checkout space and ten comparison stores assigned to continue stocking their current checkout space product mix. All aspects of the intervention were implemented by the retailer. The research team conducted in-person fidelity checks to assess implementation. Sales data were collected from the retailer in order to compare mean baseline to intervention sales of the eight healthier items in intervention and comparison groups while controlling for overall store sales. Setting: Convenience store chain. Participants: Twenty convenience stores in New Hampshire. Results: The increases in sales of healthier items between the baseline and intervention periods among the intervention and comparison stores were not statistically significant; however, the overall pattern of the results showed promising changes that should be expanded on in future studies. Intervention fidelity checks indicated that results may have been attenuated by variability in intervention implementation. Conclusions: This study advances the evidence for effective promotion of healthier food purchases in the convenience store chain setting and adds to the current literature on retail checkout space interventions. Additional research is needed to confirm and expand these results.
Barbara Baquero; Elizabeth Anderson Steeves; Michele Polacsek; Molly De Marco; Leah Chapman; Lucia A. Leone; Caitlin Simon. Evaluating the implementation and impact of a healthier checkout programme at a regional convenience store chain. Public Health Nutrition 2021, 24, 3520 -3529.
AMA StyleBarbara Baquero, Elizabeth Anderson Steeves, Michele Polacsek, Molly De Marco, Leah Chapman, Lucia A. Leone, Caitlin Simon. Evaluating the implementation and impact of a healthier checkout programme at a regional convenience store chain. Public Health Nutrition. 2021; 24 (11):3520-3529.
Chicago/Turabian StyleBarbara Baquero; Elizabeth Anderson Steeves; Michele Polacsek; Molly De Marco; Leah Chapman; Lucia A. Leone; Caitlin Simon. 2021. "Evaluating the implementation and impact of a healthier checkout programme at a regional convenience store chain." Public Health Nutrition 24, no. 11: 3520-3529.
Restaurants are regular eating environments for many families. Children’s consumption of restaurant foods has been linked with poorer diet quality, prompting emerging research examining strategies to encourage healthier eating among children in restaurants. Although taste is a primary determinant of restaurant meal choices, there is a lack of research considering children’s perspectives on the taste of different healthier kids’ meal options. The current study sought to examine, via objective taste testing, children’s liking of and preference for healthier kids’ meal options at a quick-service restaurant (QSR) and to describe bundled kids’ meals with evidence of both taste acceptability and consistency with nutrition guidelines. Thirty-seven 4-to-8-year-old children completed taste tests of ten healthier main and side dish options. Liking and preference were assessed using standard methods after children tasted each food. Children also reported their ideal kids’ meal. Results show the majority of children liked and preferred three main (turkey sandwich, chicken strips, peanut butter/banana sandwich) and side dishes (yogurt, applesauce, broccoli), with rank order differing slightly by age group. Accepted foods were combined into 11 bundles meeting nutritional criteria. Results highlight healthier kids’ meals with evidence of appeal among children in a QSR. Findings can inform future research and may increase the success of healthy eating interventions in these settings.
Sara Tauriello; Lily McGovern; Brianna Bartholomew; Leonard Epstein; Lucia Leone; Juliana Goldsmith; Elizabeth Kubiniec; Stephanie Anzman-Frasca. Taste Ratings of Healthier Main and Side Dishes among 4-to-8-Year-Old Children in a Quick-Service Restaurant Chain. Nutrients 2021, 13, 673 .
AMA StyleSara Tauriello, Lily McGovern, Brianna Bartholomew, Leonard Epstein, Lucia Leone, Juliana Goldsmith, Elizabeth Kubiniec, Stephanie Anzman-Frasca. Taste Ratings of Healthier Main and Side Dishes among 4-to-8-Year-Old Children in a Quick-Service Restaurant Chain. Nutrients. 2021; 13 (2):673.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSara Tauriello; Lily McGovern; Brianna Bartholomew; Leonard Epstein; Lucia Leone; Juliana Goldsmith; Elizabeth Kubiniec; Stephanie Anzman-Frasca. 2021. "Taste Ratings of Healthier Main and Side Dishes among 4-to-8-Year-Old Children in a Quick-Service Restaurant Chain." Nutrients 13, no. 2: 673.
Evidence of short-term impacts of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on family life is emerging. Continued research can shed light on potential longer-term impacts. An online survey of U.S. parents with 4- to 8-year-old children (n = 1000) was administered in October 2020. The survey examined parent-reported impacts of COVID-19 on lifestyle (e.g., work, child-care, grocery shopping), as well as current family food acquisition and eating behaviors (e.g., cooking, restaurant use). Descriptive statistics were calculated, incorporating sampling weights based on sociodemographics. In terms of COVID-19 impacts, parents reported increases in working from home, decreased work hours, and increased child care and instruction, with most children attending school or receiving care at home. Parents reported increased home cooking and online grocery shopping; only 33% reported increased take-out or delivery from restaurants. About half of parents reported that their child dined at restaurants, 62% reported getting take-out, and 57% reported delivery from restaurants at least 2–3 times per month. About half viewed dining at restaurants as safe, while take-out and delivery were seen as safe by around three-quarters. Approximately two-thirds reported recent food insecurity. These nationally-representative results illustrate possible longer-lasting shifts in family life, with the potential to impact health and well-being. Sociodemographic differences and research and policy implications are discussed.
Mackenzie J. Ferrante; Juliana Goldsmith; Sara Tauriello; Leonard H. Epstein; Lucia A. Leone; Stephanie Anzman-Frasca. Food Acquisition and Daily Life for U.S. Families with 4-to 8-Year-Old Children during COVID-19: Findings from a Nationally Representative Survey. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2021, 18, 1734 .
AMA StyleMackenzie J. Ferrante, Juliana Goldsmith, Sara Tauriello, Leonard H. Epstein, Lucia A. Leone, Stephanie Anzman-Frasca. Food Acquisition and Daily Life for U.S. Families with 4-to 8-Year-Old Children during COVID-19: Findings from a Nationally Representative Survey. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021; 18 (4):1734.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMackenzie J. Ferrante; Juliana Goldsmith; Sara Tauriello; Leonard H. Epstein; Lucia A. Leone; Stephanie Anzman-Frasca. 2021. "Food Acquisition and Daily Life for U.S. Families with 4-to 8-Year-Old Children during COVID-19: Findings from a Nationally Representative Survey." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 4: 1734.
Valorization of territories with diverse cultures and heritage has multiplied in recent years. This study analyzes the case of colored heirloom corn in Tlaxcala, Mexico, as a potential public good associated with the region’s biocultural heritage. The analysis conducted herein relies on a wide range of literature from relevant theory, including Geographical Indications, Global Value Chains, Community-Based Entrepreneurship, Public Goods, and Sustainable Development, in order to employ case study methodology. We leverage a novel approach to analyze the heirloom corn chain and its publicness. This chain reveals its status as a potential public good that clearly influences biocultural heritage, which has been preserved by several generations. To preserve colored heirloom corn in Tlaxcala, Mexico, a development strategy is needed that links actors and resources, involves the public sector, and furthers expansion of the private sector.
Marisol Velázquez-Salazar; Germán Scalzo; Carmen Byker Shanks. Colored Heirloom Corn as a Public Good: The Case of Tlaxcala, Mexico. Sustainability 2021, 13, 1507 .
AMA StyleMarisol Velázquez-Salazar, Germán Scalzo, Carmen Byker Shanks. Colored Heirloom Corn as a Public Good: The Case of Tlaxcala, Mexico. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (3):1507.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarisol Velázquez-Salazar; Germán Scalzo; Carmen Byker Shanks. 2021. "Colored Heirloom Corn as a Public Good: The Case of Tlaxcala, Mexico." Sustainability 13, no. 3: 1507.
It is necessary to scale up measurement in order to confront the persisting problem of food insecurity in the United States (USA). The causes and consequences around food insecurity are briefly described in order to frame the complexity of the public health issue and demonstrate need for expanded measurement approaches. We assert that measurement of food security in the USA is currently based upon a core set of rigorous metrics and, moving forward, should also constitute a supplemental registry of measures to monitor and address variables that are associated with increased risk for food insecurity. Next, we depict dietary quality as a primary example of the power of measurement to make significant progress in our understanding and management of food insecurity. Finally, we discuss the translational implications in behavioral medicine required to make progress on achieving food security for all in the USA.
Carmen Byker Shanks; Eric E Calloway; Courtney A Parks; Amy L Yaroch. Scaling up measurement to confront food insecurity in the USA. Translational Behavioral Medicine 2020, 10, 1382 -1389.
AMA StyleCarmen Byker Shanks, Eric E Calloway, Courtney A Parks, Amy L Yaroch. Scaling up measurement to confront food insecurity in the USA. Translational Behavioral Medicine. 2020; 10 (6):1382-1389.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCarmen Byker Shanks; Eric E Calloway; Courtney A Parks; Amy L Yaroch. 2020. "Scaling up measurement to confront food insecurity in the USA." Translational Behavioral Medicine 10, no. 6: 1382-1389.
BackgroundCreating strong partnerships with community organizations is essential to testing implementation of evidence-based interventions. Given the time and investment needed to build relationships, partners are often chosen based on convenience, rather than capacity or diversity. Streamlined processes are needed to identify qualified, diverse, and invested partners to conduct community-based implementation research. Currently there is a gap in the literature on effective and efficient methods for recruiting implementation partners. The goal of this paper is to fill that gap by describing a novel process for identifying a diverse group of community organizations to participate in implementation research.MethodsWe used a community-guided Request for Partners (RFP) approach to recruit implementation partners to participate in a cluster-randomized hybrid implementation-effectiveness study of the Veggie Van mobile produce market model. The multi-state RFP process included formative work to inform RFP development, creation of an outside selection committee, an intent-to-apply round, a full application round, and an in-person training and selection process. Chosen implementation partners receive a toolkit, training, technical assistance and funding to offset the costs of implementing the Veggie Van model and assisting with research. Data was collected to characterize applicant size, location and experience; pre-post surveys were conducted to understand the utility of the in-person training.ResultsWe received 59 intent-to-apply submissions, of which we invited 28 organizations to complete full applications: 17 submitted applications and 12 finalists were invited to the in-person training and selection process. The RFP process took approximately eight months to recruit nine organizations and 32 community sites across five states with a range of size and experience. The process increased understanding of the intervention and implementation partner responsibilities; 63.6% of finalists reported being very to extremely familiar with the Veggie Van model post-training compared to 28.6% pre-training. Only one finalist dropped out (due to significant organizational change).ConclusionsAn RFP process is familiar to even small community organizations that compete for grant funding, but may not have prior research experience. This RFP process streamlined partner recruitment timelines, increased partner diversity and cultivated community among mobile market organizations. It may also improve research transparency, study completion and intervention fidelity.
Lucia A. Leone; Christina Kasprzak; Anne Lally; Lindsey Haynes-Maslow; Leah N. Vermont; Caroline Horrigan-Maurer; Laurene Tumiel-Berhalter; Alice Ammerman; Samina Raja. A Novel Process to Recruit Community Partners for a Hybrid Implementation-Effectiveness Study. 2020, 1 .
AMA StyleLucia A. Leone, Christina Kasprzak, Anne Lally, Lindsey Haynes-Maslow, Leah N. Vermont, Caroline Horrigan-Maurer, Laurene Tumiel-Berhalter, Alice Ammerman, Samina Raja. A Novel Process to Recruit Community Partners for a Hybrid Implementation-Effectiveness Study. . 2020; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLucia A. Leone; Christina Kasprzak; Anne Lally; Lindsey Haynes-Maslow; Leah N. Vermont; Caroline Horrigan-Maurer; Laurene Tumiel-Berhalter; Alice Ammerman; Samina Raja. 2020. "A Novel Process to Recruit Community Partners for a Hybrid Implementation-Effectiveness Study." , no. : 1.
BackgroundCreating strong partnerships with community organizations is essential to testing implementation of evidence-based interventions. Given the time and investment needed build relationships, partners are often chosen based on convenience, rather than capacity or diversity. Streamlined processes are needed to identify qualified, diverse, and invested partners to conduct community-based implementation research. Currently there is a gap in the literature on effective and efficient methods for recruiting implementation partners. The goal of this paper is to fill that gap by describing a novel process for identifying a diverse group of community organizations to participate in implementation research.MethodsWe used a community-guided Request for Partners (RFP) approach to recruit implementation partners to participate in a cluster-randomized hybrid implementation-effectiveness study of the Veggie Van mobile produce market model. The multi-state RFP process included formative work to inform RFP development, creation of an outside selection committee, an intent-to-apply round, a full application round, and an in-person training and selection process. Chosen implementation partners receive a toolkit, training, technical assistance and funding to offset the costs of implementing the Veggie Van model and assisting with research. Data was collected to characterize applicant size, location and experience; pre-post surveys were conducted to understand the utility of the in-person training.ResultsWe received 59 intent-to-apply submissions, of which we invited 28 organizations to complete full applications: 17 submitted applications and 12 finalists were invited to the in-person training and selection process. The RFP process took approximately eight months to recruit nine organizations and 32 community sites across five states with a range of size and experience. The process increased understanding of the intervention and implementation partner responsibilities; 63.6% of finalists reported being very to extremely familiar with the Veggie Van model post-training compared to 28.6% pre-training. Only one finalist dropped out (due to significant organizational change).ConclusionsAn RFP process is familiar to even small community organizations that compete for grant funding, but may not have prior research experience. This RFP process streamlined partner recruitment timelines, increased partner diversity and cultivated community among mobile market organizations. It may also improve research transparency, study completion and intervention fidelity.
Lucia A. Leone; Christina Kasprzak; Anne Lally; Lindsey Haynes-Maslow; Leah N. Vermont; Caroline Horrigan-Maurer; Laurene Tumiel-Berhalter; Alice Ammerman; Samina Raja. A Novel Process to Recruit Community Partners for a Hybrid Implementation-Effectiveness Study. 2020, 1 .
AMA StyleLucia A. Leone, Christina Kasprzak, Anne Lally, Lindsey Haynes-Maslow, Leah N. Vermont, Caroline Horrigan-Maurer, Laurene Tumiel-Berhalter, Alice Ammerman, Samina Raja. A Novel Process to Recruit Community Partners for a Hybrid Implementation-Effectiveness Study. . 2020; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLucia A. Leone; Christina Kasprzak; Anne Lally; Lindsey Haynes-Maslow; Leah N. Vermont; Caroline Horrigan-Maurer; Laurene Tumiel-Berhalter; Alice Ammerman; Samina Raja. 2020. "A Novel Process to Recruit Community Partners for a Hybrid Implementation-Effectiveness Study." , no. : 1.
The retail food environment (RFE) has important implications for dietary intake and health, and dramatic changes in RFEs have been observed over the past few decades and years. Prior conceptual models of the RFE and its relationships with health and behavior have played an important role in guiding research; yet, the convergence of RFE changes and scientific advances in the field suggest the time is ripe to revisit this conceptualization. In this paper, we propose the Retail Food Environment and Customer Interaction Model to convey the evolving variety of factors and relationships that convene to influence food choice at the point of purchase. The model details specific components of the RFE, including business approaches, actors, sources, and the customer retail experience; describes individual, interpersonal, and household characteristics that affect customer purchasing; highlights the macro-level contexts (e.g., communities and nations) in which the RFE and customers behave; and addresses the wide-ranging outcomes produced by RFEs and customers, including: population health, food security, food justice, environmental sustainability, and business sustainability. We believe the proposed conceptualization helps to (1) provide broad implications for future research and (2) further highlight the need for transdisciplinary collaborations to ultimately improve a range of critical population outcomes.
Megan R. Winkler; Shannon N. Zenk; Barbara Baquero; Elizabeth Anderson Steeves; Sheila E. Fleischhacker; Joel Gittelsohn; Lucia A Leone; Elizabeth F. Racine. A Model Depicting the Retail Food Environment and Customer Interactions: Components, Outcomes, and Future Directions. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2020, 17, 7591 .
AMA StyleMegan R. Winkler, Shannon N. Zenk, Barbara Baquero, Elizabeth Anderson Steeves, Sheila E. Fleischhacker, Joel Gittelsohn, Lucia A Leone, Elizabeth F. Racine. A Model Depicting the Retail Food Environment and Customer Interactions: Components, Outcomes, and Future Directions. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; 17 (20):7591.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMegan R. Winkler; Shannon N. Zenk; Barbara Baquero; Elizabeth Anderson Steeves; Sheila E. Fleischhacker; Joel Gittelsohn; Lucia A Leone; Elizabeth F. Racine. 2020. "A Model Depicting the Retail Food Environment and Customer Interactions: Components, Outcomes, and Future Directions." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 20: 7591.
First paragraph: The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has dramatically reshaped the U.S. food system and how people interact with it—more specifically, how people interact with their community food environment. The food environment is the distribution of food sources within a community, including the number, type, location, and accessibility of retail food outlets (Glanz, Sallis, Saelens, & Frank, 2005). Systemic injustices shape our food system and lead to a lack of access to healthier food and beverages for low-income and communities of color (Baker, Schootman, Barnidge, & Kelly, 2006; Bower, Thorpe, Rohde, & Gaskin, 2014). These neighborhood disparities have concrete effects on health, including increasing people’s risk for obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke (Franco, Diez Roux, Glass, Caballero, & Brancati, 2008; Richardson, Boone-Heinonen, Popkin, & Gordon-Larsen, 2012). COVID-19 exacerbates these long-standing disparities, disproportionately affecting low-income people and communities of color. Brutal structural inequalities have resulted in Black and Latinx Americans being 2.7 and 3.1, respectively, times more likely to be diagnosed with COVID-19 (Moore et al., 2020). . . .
Lindsey Haynes-Maslow; Annie Hardison-Moody; Carmen Byker Shanks. Leveraging informal community food systems to address food security during COVID-19. Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development 2020, 10, 1 -4.
AMA StyleLindsey Haynes-Maslow, Annie Hardison-Moody, Carmen Byker Shanks. Leveraging informal community food systems to address food security during COVID-19. Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development. 2020; 10 (1):1-4.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLindsey Haynes-Maslow; Annie Hardison-Moody; Carmen Byker Shanks. 2020. "Leveraging informal community food systems to address food security during COVID-19." Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development 10, no. 1: 1-4.
Background Indigenous food systems have been displaced with the emergence of colonization, industrialization, and cultural, economic, political, and environmental changes. This disruption can be seen in marked health and food environment disparities that contribute to high obesity and diabetes mellitus prevalence among Native American peoples. Methods A Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) approach was used to document food environment experiences among residents of the Flathead Reservation in rural Montana. Participants were identified using purposive sampling techniques to participate in a survey and a semi-structured interview. Descriptive statistics helped to describe participant demographics, food access variables, and household food security status. Food environment perceptions were analyzed using the constant comparison method among trained researchers. Results Participants completed surveys (n = 79) and interviews (n = 76). A large number participated in federal nutrition assistance programs. Many self-reported experiencing diet-related chronic diseases. Major themes included the community food environment, dietary norms, and food-health connections. Subthemes were represented by perceptions of food environment transitions and the important role of food in familial life. Further, opportunities and challenges were identified for improving community food environments. Conclusions Perceptions of the food environment were linked to strategies that could be targeted to improve dietary quality along a social-ecological model continuum. There is need for skill-based education that directly addresses the time and monetary constraints that were commonly experienced by residents. Coinciding food environment interventions to promote dietary quality that engage community members, store management, and government policy stakeholders are also needed to reestablish healthy Native American food systems and environments within this community.
Carmen Byker Shanks; Selena Ahmed; Virgil Dupuis; Bailey Houghtaling; Mary Ann Running Crane; Mike Tryon; Mike Pierre. Perceptions of food environments and nutrition among residents of the Flathead Indian Reservation. BMC Public Health 2020, 20, 1 -15.
AMA StyleCarmen Byker Shanks, Selena Ahmed, Virgil Dupuis, Bailey Houghtaling, Mary Ann Running Crane, Mike Tryon, Mike Pierre. Perceptions of food environments and nutrition among residents of the Flathead Indian Reservation. BMC Public Health. 2020; 20 (1):1-15.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCarmen Byker Shanks; Selena Ahmed; Virgil Dupuis; Bailey Houghtaling; Mary Ann Running Crane; Mike Tryon; Mike Pierre. 2020. "Perceptions of food environments and nutrition among residents of the Flathead Indian Reservation." BMC Public Health 20, no. 1: 1-15.
Disparities in dietary behaviors have been directly linked to the food environment, including access to retail food outlets. The Coronavirus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to major changes in the distribution, sale, purchase, preparation, and consumption of food in the United States (US). This paper reflects on those changes and provides recommendations for research to understand the impact of the pandemic on the retail food environment (RFE) and consumer behavior. Using the Retail Food Environment and Customer Interaction Model, we describe the impact of COVID-19 in four key areas: (1) community, state, tribal, and federal policy; (2) retail actors, business models, and sources; (3) customer experiences; and (4) dietary intake. We discuss how previously existing vulnerabilities and inequalities based on race, ethnicity, class, and geographic location were worsened by the pandemic. We recommend approaches for building a more just and equitable RFE, including understanding the impacts of changing shopping behaviors and adaptations to federal nutrition assistance as well as how small food business can be made more sustainable. By better understanding the RFE adaptations that have characterized the COVID-19 pandemic, we hope to gain greater insight into how our food system can become more resilient in the future.
Lucia A. Leone; Sheila Fleischhacker; Betsy Anderson-Steeves; Kaitlyn Harper; Megan Winkler; Elizabeth Racine; Barbara Baquero; Joel Gittelsohn. Healthy Food Retail during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Challenges and Future Directions. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2020, 17, 7397 .
AMA StyleLucia A. Leone, Sheila Fleischhacker, Betsy Anderson-Steeves, Kaitlyn Harper, Megan Winkler, Elizabeth Racine, Barbara Baquero, Joel Gittelsohn. Healthy Food Retail during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Challenges and Future Directions. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; 17 (20):7397.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLucia A. Leone; Sheila Fleischhacker; Betsy Anderson-Steeves; Kaitlyn Harper; Megan Winkler; Elizabeth Racine; Barbara Baquero; Joel Gittelsohn. 2020. "Healthy Food Retail during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Challenges and Future Directions." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 20: 7397.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a critical program that helps reduce the risk of food insecurity, yet little is known about how SNAP addresses the needs of rural, food-insecure residents in the United States (U.S.). This study examines how rural, food-insecure residents perceive SNAP. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 153 individuals living in six diverse rural regions of Arkansas, Montana, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas, and West Virginia. SNAP was described as a crucial stop-gap program, keeping families from experiencing persistent food insecurity, making food dollars stretch when the family budget is tight, and helping them purchase healthier foods. For many rural residents interviewed, SNAP was viewed in a largely positive light. In efforts to continue improving SNAP, particularly in light of its relevance during and post-coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, policymakers must be aware of rural families’ perceptions of SNAP. Specific improvements may include increased transparency regarding funding formulas, budgeting and nutrition education for recipients, effective training to improve customer service, connections among social service agencies within a community, and increased availability of automation to streamline application processes.
Lindsey Haynes-Maslow; Annie Hardison-Moody; Megan Patton-Lopez; T. Elaine Prewitt; Carmen Byker Shanks; Lauri Andress; Isabel Osborne; Stephanie Jilcott Pitts. Examining Rural Food-Insecure Families’ Perceptions of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: A Qualitative Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2020, 17, 6390 .
AMA StyleLindsey Haynes-Maslow, Annie Hardison-Moody, Megan Patton-Lopez, T. Elaine Prewitt, Carmen Byker Shanks, Lauri Andress, Isabel Osborne, Stephanie Jilcott Pitts. Examining Rural Food-Insecure Families’ Perceptions of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: A Qualitative Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; 17 (17):6390.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLindsey Haynes-Maslow; Annie Hardison-Moody; Megan Patton-Lopez; T. Elaine Prewitt; Carmen Byker Shanks; Lauri Andress; Isabel Osborne; Stephanie Jilcott Pitts. 2020. "Examining Rural Food-Insecure Families’ Perceptions of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: A Qualitative Study." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 17: 6390.
Objective Evaluate implementation of a farmers market–based fruit and vegetable incentive program. Design Four focus groups and 6 interviews with program participants from April through November 2017. Setting Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB) program in Western New York. Participants Western New York DUFB program participants. Phenomenon of Interest Customer DUFB usage, how DUFB affects purchasing, and program barriers or facilitators. Analysis Two independent researchers coded focus group and interview transcripts. Researchers summarized codes as themes and selected illustrative quotes. Results Participants (n = 36) were mostly female (75%); 69.4% reported a household income less than $20,000. They reported taking home and consuming more fruits and vegetables because of DUFB, almost always earning the maximum amount of DUFB and saving DUFB for later use. Barriers to using DUFB included limited hours and locations, running out of tokens, poor access to farmers market, and limited stocking. Participants recommended improved program communication, more venues, and convenient schedules to facilitate program use. Conclusions and Implications Findings indicated that incentive programs increased fruit and vegetable consumption and purchasing among those who use them, however barriers to using incentives still existed. To improve the participant experience, program administrators should implement technology-based systems, provide robust communication, and offer incentives at varied locations and times.
Jaclyn M. Masci; Julia J. Schoonover; Leah N. Vermont; Christina M. Kasprzak; Lisa French; Lucia A. Leone. Double Up Food Bucks: A Qualitative Evaluation of Usage, Impact, Barriers, and Facilitators. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior 2020, 52, 1100 -1110.
AMA StyleJaclyn M. Masci, Julia J. Schoonover, Leah N. Vermont, Christina M. Kasprzak, Lisa French, Lucia A. Leone. Double Up Food Bucks: A Qualitative Evaluation of Usage, Impact, Barriers, and Facilitators. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. 2020; 52 (12):1100-1110.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJaclyn M. Masci; Julia J. Schoonover; Leah N. Vermont; Christina M. Kasprzak; Lisa French; Lucia A. Leone. 2020. "Double Up Food Bucks: A Qualitative Evaluation of Usage, Impact, Barriers, and Facilitators." Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior 52, no. 12: 1100-1110.
In an effort to elucidate an aspirational vision for the food system and explore whether the characteristics of such a system inadvertently set unattainable standards for low-wealth rural communities, we applied discourse analysis to the following qualitative datasets: (1) interviews with food experts and advocates, (2) scholarly and grey literature, (3) industry websites, and (4) email exchanges between food advocates. The analysis revealed eight aspirational food system discourses: production, distribution, and infrastructure; healthy, organic, local food; behavioral health and education; sustainability; finance and investment; hunger relief; demand-side preferences; romanticized, community led transformations. Study findings reveal that of eight discourses, only three encompass the experiences of low-wealth rural residents. This aspirational food system may aggravate the lack of autonomy and powerlessness already experienced by low-wealth rural groups, perpetuate a sense of failure by groups who will be unable to reach the aspirational food vision, silence discourses that might question those that play a role in the inequitable distribution of income while sanctioning discourses that focus on personal or community solutions, and leave out other policy-based solutions that address issues located within the food system. Further research might explore how to draw attention to silenced discourses on the needs and preferences of low-wealth rural populations to ensure that the policies and programs promoted by food system experts mitigate poor diets caused by food insecurity. Further research is needed to inform policies and programs to mitigate food insecurity in low-wealth rural populations.
Lauri Andress; Carmen Byker Shanks; Annie Hardison-Moody; T. Elaine Prewitt; Paul Kinder; Lindsey Haynes-Maslow. The Curated Food System: A Limiting Aspirational Vision of What Constitutes “Good” Food. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2020, 17, 6157 .
AMA StyleLauri Andress, Carmen Byker Shanks, Annie Hardison-Moody, T. Elaine Prewitt, Paul Kinder, Lindsey Haynes-Maslow. The Curated Food System: A Limiting Aspirational Vision of What Constitutes “Good” Food. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; 17 (17):6157.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLauri Andress; Carmen Byker Shanks; Annie Hardison-Moody; T. Elaine Prewitt; Paul Kinder; Lindsey Haynes-Maslow. 2020. "The Curated Food System: A Limiting Aspirational Vision of What Constitutes “Good” Food." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 17: 6157.
Tribal communities in the United States face disparities to accessing healthy foods including high-quality produce. A six-week fresh fruit and vegetable (FV) dietary intervention, Eat Fresh, was co-designed with a Community Advisory Board of local food and nutrition stakeholders on the Flathead Reservation of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes in Montana. Eat Fresh was implemented as a pilot study with low-income participants (n = 19) enrolled in the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations toward improving dietary quality and perceptions of well-being. We evaluated Eat Fresh at pre- and post-intervention on the basis on food procurement practices, dietary quality using the Healthy Eating Index (HEI), Body Mass Index (BMI), blood pressure, and participant perceptions of health. Participants reported consuming a greater number of types of FVs daily during the intervention (p < 0.005 for fruits and p > 0.19 for vegetables). Overall, participants found Eat Fresh moderately challenging to adhere to with the main barriers being access to ingredients in recipes (39.51% of responses), time constraints to cook (35.80%), and lack of financial resources (33.33%). Dietary quality improved during the intervention from a mean HEI score of 48.82 (± 11.88) out of 100–56.92 (± 11.88; (p > 0.12). HEI scores for fruit consumption significantly increased (p < 0.05) from 1.69 (out of 5 points) during the pre-intervention to 2.96 during the post-intervention. BMI and blood pressure increased for several participants, highlighting an unintended consequence. Most participants responded that FV consumption made them feel either very good (51.16%) or good about their health (43.02%) with the majority (83%) perceiving an improvement in energy. Findings of this pilot study highlight both intended and unintended consequences of a dietary intervention that provide lessons in co-designing community-based programs.
Selena Ahmed; Virgil Dupuis; Michael Tyron; MaryAnn Running Crane; Teresa Garvin; Michael Pierre; Carmen Byker Shanks. Intended and Unintended Consequences of a Community-Based Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Dietary Intervention on the Flathead Reservation of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Frontiers in Public Health 2020, 8, 331 .
AMA StyleSelena Ahmed, Virgil Dupuis, Michael Tyron, MaryAnn Running Crane, Teresa Garvin, Michael Pierre, Carmen Byker Shanks. Intended and Unintended Consequences of a Community-Based Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Dietary Intervention on the Flathead Reservation of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Frontiers in Public Health. 2020; 8 ():331.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSelena Ahmed; Virgil Dupuis; Michael Tyron; MaryAnn Running Crane; Teresa Garvin; Michael Pierre; Carmen Byker Shanks. 2020. "Intended and Unintended Consequences of a Community-Based Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Dietary Intervention on the Flathead Reservation of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes." Frontiers in Public Health 8, no. : 331.
American Journal of Public Health (AJPH) from the American Public Health Association (APHA) The COVID-19 Pandemic: A Watershed Moment to Strengthen Food Security Across the US Food System, an article from American Journal of Public Health, Vol 110 Issue 8
Carmen Byker Shanks; Melanie D. Hingle; Courtney A. Parks; Amy L. Yaroch. The COVID-19 Pandemic: A Watershed Moment to Strengthen Food Security Across the US Food System. American Journal of Public Health 2020, 110, 1133 -1134.
AMA StyleCarmen Byker Shanks, Melanie D. Hingle, Courtney A. Parks, Amy L. Yaroch. The COVID-19 Pandemic: A Watershed Moment to Strengthen Food Security Across the US Food System. American Journal of Public Health. 2020; 110 (8):1133-1134.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCarmen Byker Shanks; Melanie D. Hingle; Courtney A. Parks; Amy L. Yaroch. 2020. "The COVID-19 Pandemic: A Watershed Moment to Strengthen Food Security Across the US Food System." American Journal of Public Health 110, no. 8: 1133-1134.
BACKGROUND Few studies document milk selection and waste among high school lunch programs. METHODS This observational research assesses the types of milk selected and wasted among 5 Montana high school lunch programs. Over 6 days across the 2014‐2015 school year, 3842 milk cartons were collected. Direct weighing was used to assess the ounces of milk wasted and consumed by milk type. Outcomes included the number of milks selected by type at each school, ounces of milk consumed and wasted on average per student. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to assess demographics of school lunch participation, milk consumption and waste, and the amount of waste per type of milk. RESULTS Students were most likely (p < .05) to select fat‐free flavored milk, followed by 1% plain milk, and fat‐free plain milk. Fat‐free flavored (mean = 0.86, SD = 0.55) was the least wasted, followed by fat‐free plain (mean = 1.08 oz, SD = 1.55), and 1% plain (mean = 1.26 oz, SD = 1.02). CONCLUSIONS Across all milk options, milk waste was low. The findings indicate that high school students are more likely to select and consume greater amounts of, and waste less, fat‐free flavored milk.
Carmen Byker Shanks; Katie Bark; Molly Stenberg; Janet Gamble; Courtney Parks. Milk Consumption and Waste Across 5 Montana High School Lunch Programs. Journal of School Health 2020, 90, 718 -723.
AMA StyleCarmen Byker Shanks, Katie Bark, Molly Stenberg, Janet Gamble, Courtney Parks. Milk Consumption and Waste Across 5 Montana High School Lunch Programs. Journal of School Health. 2020; 90 (9):718-723.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCarmen Byker Shanks; Katie Bark; Molly Stenberg; Janet Gamble; Courtney Parks. 2020. "Milk Consumption and Waste Across 5 Montana High School Lunch Programs." Journal of School Health 90, no. 9: 718-723.
We seek to elucidate an aspirational vision for the food system and explore whether the characteristics of such a system inadvertently set unattainable standards for rural, low wealth communities. We apply discourse analysis to the following qualitative datasets: (1) interviews with food experts and advocates, (2) scholarly and grey literature, (3) industry websites, and (4) email exchanges between food advocates. The analysis revealed eight aspirational food system discourses: Production, Distribution, and Infrastructure; Healthy, Organic, Local Food; Behavioral Health and Education; Sustainability; Finance and Investment; Huger Relief; Demand Side Preferences; Romanticized, Community Led Transformations. Study findings reveal that of eight discourses only three encompass the experiences of rural, low wealth residents. This aspirational food system may result in the disempowerment of the needs of rural, low wealth groups; a perpetuation of the failure of groups who will be unable to reach the aspirational food vision; silencing of discourses that might question those that play a role in the inequitable distribution of income while sanctioning discourses that focus on personal or community solutions; and the absence of other policy-based solutions that address issues located within the food system. Further research is needed to inform policies and programs to mitigate food insecurity in rural, low wealth populations.
Lauri Andress; Carmen Byker Shanks; Annie Hardison Moody; T. Elaine Prewitt; Paul Kinder; Lindsey Haynes-Maslow. The Curated Food System: A Limiting Aspirational Vision of What Constitutes “Good” Food. 2020, 1 .
AMA StyleLauri Andress, Carmen Byker Shanks, Annie Hardison Moody, T. Elaine Prewitt, Paul Kinder, Lindsey Haynes-Maslow. The Curated Food System: A Limiting Aspirational Vision of What Constitutes “Good” Food. . 2020; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLauri Andress; Carmen Byker Shanks; Annie Hardison Moody; T. Elaine Prewitt; Paul Kinder; Lindsey Haynes-Maslow. 2020. "The Curated Food System: A Limiting Aspirational Vision of What Constitutes “Good” Food." , no. : 1.