Perceptions of Food Access and Food Purchasing Behaviors in a Low‐income Brazilian Urban Community: Formative Research Findings

Abstract

Formative research to data gathering helps design effective community‐based programs. We examined perceptions of the food environment and food purchasing behaviors of low‐income families living in a Brazilian urban area to inform a planned food store intervention. We established a partnership with a community organization and conducted weekly workshops (n=32) over a period of 12 months to social engagement and to create an agenda to intervene in local stores. We also performed in‐depth interviews with 7 key informants and direct observation with a family household to identify individuals' perceptions and behaviors related to food access, selection, buying and eating. Interviews and workshop reports were transcribed and coded. Perceived barriers to food access in local stores were: high price; low variety and quality of fresh produce; absence of a grocery delivery service; and poor customer relations. Local small stores were used primarily to purchase 1‐2 selected foods items, especially for cooking purpose. In contrast, most residents planned a monthly trip to wholesalers for bulk purchasing to compensate for limited local food access. These findings highlight some key points to address access dimensions in the upcoming food store intervention, such as improvement of availability, affordability of food and accommodation of community needs. Funded by CNPq #479885/2013‐3.