In response to lack of access to healthy foods, many low-income communities are instituting local healthy corner store programs. Some stores also participate in the United States Department of Agriculture’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This study used two assessment tools to compare the healthfulness of offerings at stores participating in local healthy store programs (upgraded stores), WIC, and/or SNAP to that of similar non-participating stores. Based on store audits conducted in 315 New Jersey corner stores in 2014, we calculated healthy food availability scores using subsections of the Nutrition Environment Measures Survey for Corner Stores (NEMS-CS-Availability) and a short-form corner store audit tool (SCAT). We used multivariable regression to examine associations between program participation and scores on both instruments. Adjusting for store and block group characteristics, stores participating in a local healthy store program had significantly higher SCAT scores than did non-participating stores (upgraded: M = 3.18, 95% CI 2.65-3.71; non-upgraded: M = 2.52, 95% CI 2.32-2.73); scores on the NEMS-CS-Availability did not differ (upgraded: M = 12.8, 95% CI 11.6-14.1; non-upgraded: M = 12.5, 95% CI 12.0-13.0). WIC-participating stores had significantly higher scores compared to non-participating stores on both tools. Stores participating in SNAP only (and not in WIC) scored significantly lower on both instruments compared to non-SNAP stores. WIC-participating and non-SNAP corner stores had higher healthfulness scores on both assessment tools. Upgraded stores had higher healthfulness scores compared to non-upgraded stores on the SCAT.

Keywords: Health, nutrition, diet, food, food assistance, food environment, nutrition surveys

RS DeWeese, M Todd, Allison Karpyn, M J Yedidia, M Kennedy, M Bruening, C M Wharton, P Ohri-Vachaspati

Philadelphia has a high prevalence of hypertension, heart disease, diabetes and obesity. To reduce chronic disease, there is a need for targeted, innovative community-based interventions to improve the food and physical activity environments for urban residents. This case study describes the development and evaluation of a pilot program to address barriers to healthy food access and physical activity environments in a West Philadelphia neighborhood.

Keywords: Obesity; Food Environment; Community-Based Participatory Research; Urban Health; Physical Fitness; Food Preferences

Karen Glanz, Nicole Thomas, Allison Karpyn, Colleen Watts, Alexandra Tomlinson, Carolyn Cannuscio

An emerging body of research examines the health and economic impacts of healthy corner store interventions, although implementing valid mechanisms to capture changes in diet remains a challenge. Healthy corner store interventions employ strategies to help corner stores procure, maintain and market healthier foods such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy items like skim milk. A recent national convening of partners yielded a series of research and evaluation questions that need answers in order for the field to progress. Participants in the Healthy Corner Stores Symposium identified several challenges to developing a sustainable business model for small-scale healthy food retail. This group of practitioners, funders, lenders, academics, and other leaders ranked what they saw as the most promising opportunities for maximizing the positive impact these businesses have on the community. Unique to this forum, the agenda was born from a program-operation perspective and not from the more common approach where an independent researcher evaluates the efficacy of a program or intervention. As efforts to improve food systems emerge, such an approach to research is critical. The central challenges and a prioritized list of research questions are discussed.

Keywords: Food Systems, Sustainability, Food Security, Food Justice, Community, Development, Farmers Markets, Policy, Race, Beginning Farmers, Climate Change, Food System, Agriculture, Zoning, Labor, Nutrition, SNAP, Value Chains, Planning, GIS, Supply Chains, Farming, CSA, Governance, Gender, Vermont, Rural, USDA

Allison Karpyn, Hannah Burton-Laurison

A partnership between the Brandywine Zoo and the University of Delaware Center for Research in Education and Social Policy demonstrates how sectors can work together to solve important problems while at the same time reminding those involved in changing human behavior that we may, indeed, have a lot yet to learn from animal behavior.

Keywords: Health, zoo, interdisciplinary, marketing, advertising, advertisement, food, food choice, buying decision, kids, children, choices, eating, healthy

Allison Karpyn, Michael Allen, Meryl Gardner, Samantha Marks