Nutrition environments in corner stores in Philadelphia

To examine the availability, quality, and price of key types of healthy and less-healthy foods found in corner stores in low-income urban neighborhoods and the associations between store characteristics and store food environments.

A sample of 246 corner stores was selected from all corner stores participating in the Philadelphia Healthy Corner Store Initiative (HCSI). The Nutrition Environment Measures Survey for Corner Stores (NEMS-CS) was used to assess the availability, quality, and price of foods and beverages in 11 common categories between February and May, 2011.

NEMS-CS measures were completed in 233 stores, 94.7% of the 246 stores approached. The healthier options were significantly less available in all food categories and often more expensive. Baked goods, bread, chips and cereals were sold at nearly all stores, with significantly fewer offering low-fat baked goods (5.7%, p<0.0001), whole grain bread (56.2%, p<0.0001), or baked chips (35.2%, p<0.0001). Number of aisles was positively associated with availability score (p<0.05).

Findings from this study point toward potential targets for intervention to improve the corner store food environment and dietary choices among low-income urban populations. Availability of certain healthier foods could be improved.