Characterizing Rural Food Access in Remote Areas

Chris J. Bardenhagen, Courtney A. Pinard, Rich Pirog, Amy Lazarus Yaroch

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

Residents of rural areas may have limited access to healthy foods, leading to higher incidence of diet related health issues. Smaller grocers in rural areas experience challenges in maintaining fresh produce and other healthy foods available for customers. This study assessed the rural food environment in northeast Lower Michigan in order to inform healthy food financing projects such as the Michigan Good Food Fund. The area’s retail food businesses were categorized using secondary licensing, business, and nutrition program databases. Twenty of these stores were visited in person to verify the validity of the categories created, and to assess the availability of healthy foods in their aisles. In-depth interviews with key informants were carried out with store owners, economic development personnel, and other food system stakeholders having knowledge about food access, in order to learn more about the specific challenges that the area faces. Out-shopping, seasonality, and economic challenges were found to affect healthy food availability. Mid-sized independent stores were generally found to have a larger selection of healthy foods, but smaller rural groceries also have potential to provide fresh produce and increase food access. Potential healthy food financing projects are described and areas in need of further research are identified.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1008-1019
Number of pages12
JournalJournal of Community Health
Volume42
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1 2017

Keywords

  • Food environment
  • Healthy food availability
  • Outshopping
  • Rural food access
  • Rural grocery

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health(social science)
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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