A Cross-Sectional Analysis Exploring Differences between Food Availability, Food Price, Food Quality and Store Size and Store Location in Flint Michigan

Abstract

ABSTRACT The availability, price, and quality of healthy foods can vary based on store size and store location. Quantifying access to healthy food based on availability, price, and quality might improve diet with implications for chronic disease. We used the Flint Food Store Assessment (FFSA) Instrument to conduct across-sectional study from June to August2012. We surveyed 273 stores (27 large and 246 small stores) in Flint, Michigan and atwo-mile buffer surrounding the city. Aspatially explicit regression model was used to analyze food availability, food price and food quality between small and large stores within Flint and the two-mile buffer. Smaller stores had lower mean food availability and higher food prices for all food groups compared to larger food stores in both areas. In addition, the quality of fruit and vegetables was lower in small versus large stores. Buffer stores had greater food availability and quality and lower prices compared to the inner city. Overall, stores in Flint had lower scores for food availability, food price, and food quality compared to those within the buffer. Findings from this study have policy and health education implications for inner city food access to nutrient-dense, affordable foods.