Early Impacts of a Healthy Food Distribution Program on the Availability and Price of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables in Small Retail Venues in Los Angeles

Abstract

Healthy food distribution programs that allow small retailers to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at wholesale prices may increase the profitability of selling produce. While promising, little is known about how these programs affect the availability of fresh fruits and vegetables in underserved communities. This study examined the impacts of a healthy food distribution program in Los Angeles County over its first year of operation (August 2015-2016). Assessment methods included: (1) a brief survey examining the characteristics, purchasing habits, and attitudes of stores entering the program; (2) longitudinal tracking of sales data examining changes in the volume and variety of fruits and vegetables distributed through the program; and (3) the collection of comparison price data from wholesale market databases and local grocery stores. Seventeen stores participated in the program over the study period. One-fourth of survey respondents reported no recent experience selling produce. Analysis of sales data showed that, on average, the total volume of produce distributed through the program increased by six pounds per week over the study period (95% confidence limit: 4.50, 7.50); trends varied by store and produce type. Produce prices offered through the program approximated those at wholesale markets, and were lower than prices at full-service grocers. Results suggest that healthy food distribution programs may reduce certain supply-side barriers to offering fresh produce in small retail venues. While promising, more work is needed to understand the impacts of such programs on in-store environments and consumer behaviors.

Investigating business outcomes of healthy food retail strategies: A systematic scoping review

“…The majority of studies were conducted in the United States (n = 56) or Canada (n = 13) . Studies encompassed food service (n = 44), grocery (n = 56), and mixed (n = 7) retail settings including cafeterias (n = 24), full service restaurants (n = 18), corner stores and/or grocery stores (n = 19), supermarkets (n = 16), vending machines (n = 13), quick‐service restaurants (n = 13), and cafés (n = 5) . Approximately half of thes...…”

“…Six initiatives were retailer‐led, 29 were the result of partnerships, and 41 were researcher‐led, with the remainder government‐, industry‐, or health organization‐led. More than half of the included studies (n = 66) identified one or more business outcomes in the primary aim of the study.…”

Implementing a Healthy Food Distribution Program: A Supply Chain Strategy to Increase Fruit and Vegetable Access in Underserved Areas

“…In addition, the evaluation team collected comparison price data, by abstraction of publicly available wholesale market prices and local grocery store audits, to understand how prices available through COMPRA compared with those of store owners’ previous vendors. Results (available elsewhere [ 8 ]) demonstrated that prices offered to members approximated those at wholesale markets and were lower than prices at full-service grocers. Despite variation at the store level and product level, the total volume of produce distributed by COMPRA increased by an estimated 6 pounds per week over the study period; this change was significant (95% confidence interval, 4.50–7.50) ( 8 ) ( Table 2 ).…”

“…Results (available elsewhere [ 8 ]) demonstrated that prices offered to members approximated those at wholesale markets and were lower than prices at full-service grocers. Despite variation at the store level and product level, the total volume of produce distributed by COMPRA increased by an estimated 6 pounds per week over the study period; this change was significant (95% confidence interval, 4.50–7.50) ( 8 ) ( Table 2 ).…”

“… Abbreviation: COMPRA, Community Markets Purchasing Real and Affordable Foods. a Adapted with permission of Springer from DeFosset et al ( 8 ). b Simple linear regression model.…”