title: Barriers to purchasing foods for a high-quality, healthy diet in a low-income African American community.
abstract: The goal of this project was to assess the cost of purchasing 1-month of nutritionally adequate, familiar, healthy food plans for African American seniors and families in Roxbury, Massachusetts. Model 7-day food plans were developed and tested using focus groups. The food plans were translated into shopping lists and prices were collected at 2 local grocery stores. Results found that the average estimated monthly food cost for both groups exceeded the benefit and food budget set by 2 agencies. It was concluded that many low-income people living in Roxbury have limited access to affordable healthy food options; this issue should be addressed as a matter of public health policy.
authors.affiliation: Center for Cardiovascular Disease in Women, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Rachael S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Fulp
authors.forename: Katherine D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: McManus
authors.forename: Paula A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001900:Boston; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D005523:Food Supply / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D008612:Menu Planning; D008875:Middle Aged; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D011203:Poverty; D055815:Young Adult