title: Introduction of farm stands in low-income communities increases fruit and vegetable among community residents.
abstract: The purpose of this longitudinal pilot study was to measure the impact of introducing farm stands in low-income communities with limited access to fresh and quality fruits and vegetables (F&V) on residents' F&V consumption. Two farm stands were placed outside two local community sites one day a week for 12 weeks. A variety of locally grown, culturally appropriate produce was sold at the stands. Data on F&V intake, awareness and usage of farmers' markets, family behaviors, and importance of eating F&V were collected from individuals (n=61) before and after farm stands were placed in the two communities. Paired sample t-tests, chi-square and McNemar tests were used to evaluate the impact of the intervention on the outcome variables. Significance level was set at p<.05. Significant increases were found for participants' consumption of fruit, fruit juice, tomatoes, green salad, and other vegetables (P<.05). Additionally, participants also reported increases in mediating variables of F&V consumption. This study underscores the potential of farmers' markets to increase F&V consumption through increasing F&V access in low-income communities.
authors.affiliation: University of Texas School of Public Health-Austin Regional Campus, Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living, 1616 Guadalupe Street, Suite 6.300 Austin, Texas 78701, USA. Alexandra.e.evans@uth.tmc.edu
authors.forename: Alexandra E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: Rose
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jennings
authors.forename: Andrew W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Smiley
authors.forename: Jose L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Medina
authors.forename: Shreela V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: Ronda
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rutledge
authors.forename: Melissa H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Stigler
authors.forename: Deanna M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Hoelscher
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture; D003132:Commerce; D005260:Female; D005523:Food Supply; D005638:Fruit / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011204:Poverty Areas; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013781:Texas; D014675:Vegetables / Q000600:supply & distribution*