Abstract
Access to fresh fruits and vegetables is a concern, particularly among low-income populations. Mobile vending is one strategy to expand produce availability and access to increase consumption. In 2008, New York City launched a mobile vending initiative, Green Carts. We report on the evaluation. Three waves of cross-sectional observational surveys of produce availability, variety, and quality were conducted during the summers of 2008, 2009, and 2011 in a stratified random sample of stores and carts comparing establishments in Green Cart neighborhoods (n = 13) with comparison neighborhoods (n = 3). Bivariate analyses for availability, variety, and quality comparing Green Cart and comparison neighborhoods were presented across years, and logistic and negative binomial regressions were used to test whether fruit and vegetable availability, variety, and quality increased in Green Cart compared with comparison neighborhoods, adjusting for clustering and neighborhood demographics. Establishments selling fruits and vegetables in Green Cart neighborhoods increased between 2008 and 2011 (50% to 69%, p <0.0001); there was no comparable increase in comparison neighborhoods. Establishments selling more than 10 fruits and vegetables types increased from 31% to 38% (p = 0.0414) in Green Cart neighborhoods; there was no change in comparison neighborhoods. Produce quality was high among comparison establishments, with 95% and 94% meeting the quality threshold in 2008 and 2011, while declining in Green Cart neighborhood establishments from 96% to 88% (p < 0.0001). Sustained produce availability was found in Green Cart neighborhoods between 2008–2011. Green Carts are one strategy contributing to improving produce access among New Yorkers.
Highlights
Between 2008 and 2011, the availability and variety of fruits and vegetables in GCPs increased compared with non-Green Cart precincts
GCP establishments demonstrated increases in the proportion of establishments carrying more than 10 types of fruits and vegetables, while there was no change in comparison precincts
While the increased number of Green Carts expanded produce availability, this evaluation indicates that their presence may have encouraged other establishments, bodegas, to sell more produce
Summary
Access to fresh fruits and vegetables is both a national and local concern, as produce is an important component of a healthy diet. [1–4] In particular, substantial interest surrounds removing barriers to produce consumption among low-income populations, including contextual factors, such as features of neighborhood environments that may influence availability and access in different geographies. [5–8] For instance, federal funding sources, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Communities Putting Prevention to Work program, the Healthy Food Financing Initiative, and the reauthorization of the Farm Bill in 2014 among many others, provide support to local programs to increase fruit and vegetable access, as well as other healthy foods, with a focus on lower income populations. [9–11] states, local municipal authorities, and other community organizations have collaborated to improve produce access through various programs. [9–11] states, local municipal authorities, and other community organizations have collaborated to improve produce access through various programs Such programs include increasing the number of farmers’ markets in low-income communities, providing coupons or vouchers for the purchase of additional produce at farmers’ markets, supporting new construction or renovations of supermarkets, and encouraging mobile vending. Using the social-ecological model, the New York City (NYC) Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) has developed a variety of programs to improve fruit and vegetable availability citywide, focusing on low income neighborhoods since 2005 These efforts include providing coupons for the purchase of fruit and vegetables, offering zoning and financial incentives to retain established supermarkets and attract new stores, and working directly with corner store owners to improve healthy food options in the neighborhoods of interest. The NYC Administrative Code was amended to expand the number of mobile vendors that sell whole fresh fruits and vegetables in the NYC neighborhoods with the lowest consumption of fruits and vegetables. [19] The Green Carts program consisted of staggered provision
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