Retail Food Store Access in Rural Appalachia: A Mixed Methods Study

Area of Science:

• Food access and public health
• Rural health disparities
• Consumer behavior in food retail

Background:

• Understanding factors influencing food access is crucial for public health interventions.
• Rural populations often face unique challenges in accessing healthy food options.
• This study examines potential and realized food access among low-income, rural Central Appalachian women.

Observation:

• A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in a rural Central Appalachian county.
• Data were collected through store mapping, in-store food audits, and in-depth interviews.
• A convergent parallel mixed methods approach was used to merge findings.

Findings:

• Supermarkets offered the best availability of healthy foods, followed by grocery stores, dollar stores, and convenience stores.
• Women generally shopped at the nearest store meeting their expectations for food availability, price, service, and atmosphere.
• Perceptions of stores varied among participants and differed from objective audit findings.

Implications:

• Findings can inform public health nurses on strategies to improve access to affordable, healthy foods in underserved communities.
• Recommendations include consumer education and partnerships with local food retailers.
• Addressing disparities in food access is essential for improving health outcomes in rural areas.