A Commentary on the Healthy Community Stores Case Study Project: Implications for Retailers, Policy, and Future Research

Authors

Samantha M. Sundermeir, Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
Megan R. Winkler, Department of Behavioral, Social and Health Education Sciences, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
Sara John, Center for Science in the Public Interest, Washington, DC 20005, USA.
Uriyoán Colón-Ramos, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, 950 New Hampshire Avenue, Washington, DC 20052, USA.
Ravneet Kaur, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Rockford, IL 61107, USA.
Ashley Hickson, Center for Science in the Public Interest, Washington, DC 20005, USA.
Rachael D. Dombrowski, Division of Kinesiology, Health and Sport Studies, College of Education, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA.
Alex B. Hill, Urban Studies and Planning and Detroit Food Map Initiative, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA.
Bree Bode, Division of Kinesiology, Health and Sport Studies, College of Education, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA.
Julia DeAngelo, Departments of Health Policy Management & Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Joel Gittelsohn, Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

7-20-2022

Journal

International journal of environmental research and public health

Volume

19

Issue

14

DOI

10.3390/ijerph19148824

Keywords

case studies; community food store; food access; healthy food retail; locally owned; low-income; qualitative

Abstract

In the United States, low-income, underserved rural and urban settings experience poor access to healthy, affordable food. Introducing new food outlets in these locations has shown mixed results for improving healthy food consumption. The Healthy Community Stores Case Study Project (HCSCSP) explored an alternative strategy: supporting mission-driven, locally owned, healthy community food stores to improve healthy food access. The HCSCSP used a multiple case study approach, and conducted a cross-case analysis of seven urban healthy food stores across the United States. The main purpose of this commentary paper is to summarize the main practice strategies for stores as well as future directions for researchers and policy-makers based on results from the prior cross-case analyses. We organize these strategies using key concepts from the Retail Food Environment and Customer Interaction Model. Several key strategies for store success are presented including the use of non-traditional business models, focus on specific retail actors such as store champions and multiple vendor relationships, and a stores' role in the broader community context, as well as the striking challenges faced across store locations. Further exploration of these store strategies and how they are implemented is needed, and may inform policies that can support these types of healthy retail sites and sustain their efforts in improving healthy food access in their communities.

APA Citation

Sundermeir, Samantha M.; Winkler, Megan R.; John, Sara; Colón-Ramos, Uriyoán; Kaur, Ravneet; Hickson, Ashley; Dombrowski, Rachael D.; Hill, Alex B.; Bode, Bree; DeAngelo, Julia; and Gittelsohn, Joel, "A Commentary on the Healthy Community Stores Case Study Project: Implications for Retailers, Policy, and Future Research" (2022). GW Authored Works. Paper 1279.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/1279

Department

Global Health