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Updated: Jan 3, 2026

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Published on: July 24, 2017
Perceptions of Rural SNAP-Authorized Food Store Owners and Managers About Healthy Product Availability
Bailey Houghtaling1, Elena Serrano2, Liza Dobson2
1School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Louisiana State University AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA.
Objective:
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)-authorized retailers' healthy perceptions and store availability of healthy products were explored to plan a healthy food retail program.
Methods:
Cognitive anthropology (free list) and quantitative (food environment measure) methods were used to assess retailers' healthy product perceptions and the availability of store products aligned with dietary guidance. Cultural domain analysis techniques and descriptive and inferential statistics were used to interpret data.
Results:
SNAP-authorized retailers (n = 29) of rural grocery (17%), dollar (14%), convenience (66%), and specialty (3%) stores participated. There was low salience for what constituted healthy and misalignments with dietary guidance and inventory. Dried beans, nuts, and seeds were widely available products across all stores and were listed less frequently by retailers.
Conclusions And Implications:
Engagement with SNAP-authorized retailers to develop retailer-focused nutrition education and/or training protocols is warranted to improve the capacity for retailers to market store products aligned with dietary guidance.
Related Concept Videos
Assessment of the Gastrointestinal System II: Health Perception Pattern
Health Perception Patterns
Health perception patterns offer valuable insights into a patient's lifestyle habits and how they may impact their GI health. These patterns include:
Self-Schemas
Optimal Foraging
Key Elements for Plant Nutrition
Dietary Connections
Regulation of Food Intake

