P33 - Barriers to Accessing Adequate, Healthy Foods in Two Rural Communities in North Carolina

Abstract

Background (Background, Rationale, Prior Research, and/or Theory): Rural households face unique challenges related to high rates of food insecurity, the lack of access to adequate, healthy food, which is associated with poor health outcomes. However, research shows that church-based interventions are effective in rural communities. Objective: This study sought to identify and describe challenges of food access in a rural community and promote church-based interventions. Study Design, Setting, Participants, Intervention: In partnership with two United Methodist Churches in rural North Carolina, three focus group interviews (n = 23) were conducted focusing on health and nutrition issues with six to ten local residents who administered or received church aid. Outcome Measures and Analysis: Outcome measures included a qualitative description of barriers to food access. Using the constant comparative method to analyze themes, four researchers independently developed a list of barriers and came to a consensus. Results: The focus groups elucidated several barriers, including lack of local and homegrown food, high costs of healthy foods, inadequate food and nutrition resources, an absence of economic opportunities, and trouble navigating the food environment. Some of these issues, such as lack of access to homegrown food, are unique to rural populations due to culture and location. Viable solutions include providing fruits and vegetables through local church gardens, partnerships with local farmers, and promoting community resources such as transportation and education. Conclusions and Implications: This study described rural Appalachia's food environment and identified multiple barriers to accessing enough quality food from the perspectives of food insecure individuals and food assistance volunteers. By obtaining these viewpoints, community solutions that promote rural food security became evident. Funding: None.