Abstract
Prices affect food purchase decisions, particularly in lower-income communities, where access to a range of food retailers (including supermarkets) is limited. The aim of this study was to examine differences in staple food pricing between small urban food stores and the closest supermarkets, as well as whether pricing differentials varied based on proximity between small stores and larger retailers. In 2014, prices were measured for 15 staple foods during store visits in 140 smaller stores (corner stores, gas-marts, dollar stores, and pharmacies) in Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN and their closest supermarket. Mixed models controlling for store type were used to estimate the average price differential between: (a) smaller stores and supermarkets; (b) isolated smaller stores (>1 mile to closest supermarket) and non-isolated smaller stores; and (c) isolated smaller stores inside versus outside USDA-identified food deserts. On average, all items except white bread were 10–54% more expensive in smaller stores than in supermarkets (p < 0.001). Prices were generally not significantly different in isolated stores compared with non-isolated stores for most items. Among isolated stores, there were no price differences inside versus outside food deserts. We conclude that smaller food stores have higher prices for most staple foods compared to their closest supermarket, regardless of proximity. More research is needed to examine staple food prices in different retail spaces.
Highlights
For over a decade, researchers have noted persistent disparities in access to healthy food in urban areas of the U.S [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9]
The purpose of this study was to assess differences in staple food item prices in small and non-traditional food stores compared to supermarket prices, and how pricing patterns could exacerbate the problem of food deserts
We had no reason to expect that higher prices would be evident in isolated food deserts versus non-food deserts, but because even moderate price differences may have significant consequences for low-income residents, we examined store isolation pricing patterns in food deserts
Summary
Researchers have noted persistent disparities in access to healthy food in urban areas of the U.S [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9]. In census tracts with high proportions of minority or low-income residents, supermarkets are scarce and convenience stores and fast-food outlets are abundant [7]. Beyond the presence of different types of stores, low-income neighborhoods have demonstrated lower fruit and vegetable availability [10,11] and lower overall healthy food availability [12]. According to the U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA), food deserts are defined as census tracts that are low-income (a specified proportion of residents fall below an income threshold) and low-access (a specified proportion of residents have poor access to a supermarket) [13]. Residing in a USDA-defined food desert has been associated with indicators of poor health, including higher rates of obesity [15], lower levels of serum carotenoids, and higher blood pressure [16]
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