Beyond Food Prices: Does Store Location Matter? Diana Cassady, DrPH Assistant Professor Center for Advanced Studies in Nutrition and Social Marketing & Dept. Public Health Sciences UC Davis

Objectives 1. The problem of low fruit and vegetable consumption among low- income consumers. 2. Trends in the food industry may make healthy food less available in low-income areas. 3. Promising alternatives to traditional food distribution and retailing models.

1. Low produce consumption Odds Ratios for American Adults Meeting 5 a Day Guidelines, NHANES Source: SS Casagrande et al. American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 2007;32: N=8910

2. Food Deserts

Supermarket Consolidation Costco’s share of grocery sales increasing. 40 new WalMart Supercenters in California. Tesco plans 100 new stores; ultimately 500 in So. Cal.

Philadelphia: Working with stores near elementary schools to sell healthier snacks. Baltimore: Adding low fat milk, whole grain breads, and other “healthy” foods. 3. Promising Alternatives to Traditional Food Retailers

Jimmy’s Market North Sacramento

Jimmy’s Market: Sales Total pounds of fresh fruit and vegetables sold per week.

Produce Boxes

Philosophy: start with the food; survive the marketplace, build community. Good Food Box, Toronto Problem: Providing low-income consumers access to fresh, high quality fruits and vegetables. 2003: 4,000 boxes delivered weekly with 200 volunteer site coordinators

Conclusions Produce consumption among low- income consumers could be doubled. Non-traditional retailers may be a partial answer to food deserts. This will require innovative public/private partnerships. Price and quality should still be part of the equation.