title: Lack of Healthy Food in Small-Size to Mid-Size Retailers Participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, 2014.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The US Department of Agriculture has stocking criteria for healthy foods among Supplemental Nutrition Assistant Program (SNAP)-authorized retailers. Increased access to healthy food could improve diet quality among SNAP participants, which has implications for chronic disease prevention. The objective of this study was to quantify healthy foods stocked in small-size to mid-size retailers who are authorized under SNAP but not under the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
  
  
  METHODS
  We used formative, cross-sectional data from a large policy evaluation to conduct secondary analyses. Store audits were conducted in 2014 in 91 randomly selected, licensed food stores in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. Supermarkets and retailers participating in WIC, which are required to stock healthy foods, were excluded as were other stores not reasonably expected to stock staple foods, such as specialty stores or produce stands. Availability of milk, fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain-rich foods was assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 91 stores studied were corner stores, food-gas marts, dollar stores, and pharmacies. More than half carried 1 or more varieties of fat-free or low-fat milk, fresh or canned fruit, and whole-grain-rich cereal. However, only one-third stocked 1 or more varieties of fresh vegetables and only one-quarter stocked whole-grain-rich products, such as whole-grain-rich bread (26%) or tortillas (21%) or brown rice (25%). Few stores stocked at least 2 varieties of each product.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Many stores did not stock a variety of healthy foods. The US Department of Agriculture should change policies to improve minimum stocking requirements for SNAP-authorized retailers.
authors: University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, 1300 S 2nd St, Ste 300, Minneapolis, MN 55454. Email: mnlaska@umn.edu.
authors: Melissa N
authors: MN
authors: Laska
authors: University of Minnesota, School of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
authors: Caitlin E
authors: CE
authors: Caspi
authors: University of Minnesota, School of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
authors: Jennifer E
authors: JE
authors: Pelletier
authors: University of Minnesota, School of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
authors: Robin
authors: R
authors: Friebur
authors: University of Minnesota, School of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
authors: Lisa J
authors: LJ
authors: Harnack
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001939:Bread / Q000145:classification; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000517:prevention & control; D003132:Commerce / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D002523:Edible Grain / Q000145:classification; D063105:Food Assistance / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*; D063427:Food Quality; D005523:Food Supply / Q000145:classification / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005638:Fruit / Q000145:classification; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D008004:Licensure; D037141:Mandatory Programs; D008892:Milk / Q000145:classification; D008910:Minnesota; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D009753:Nutritive Value; D012275:Oryza / Q000145:classification; D010594:Pharmacies / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015397:Program Evaluation; D014481:United States; D016885:United States Department of Agriculture; D014675:Vegetables / Q000145:classification