title: An integrative literature review of small food store research across urban and rural communities in the U.S.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this review was to identify how rural and urban food access differs across small food stores as well as the types of research strategies and methodologies that have been applied in each setting in the U.S.
  
  
  METHODS
  Manuscripts were included in the review if they were published in English over the past ten years, with a clear delineation between urban and/or rural, conducted in the U.S., and reported data from small food store research.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After elimination, 19 manuscripts representing rural (n = 5) and urban (n = 14) settings were included in the final review. The review was conducted in Nebraska between January 2015 and May 2015. Findings from the reviewed manuscripts revealed that rural communities might face different challenges with healthy food access in small food stores when compared to urban settings. In particular, small food stores in rural areas lacked healthy food options largely because storeowners perceived that their customers would not purchase healthier items and due to challenges with distribution. Conversely, studies reporting on small food stores in urban areas suggest challenges with transportation and safety concerns.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Research on small food stores is nascent and further research, especially intervention studies, is needed. Further, less evidence exists on healthy food access, in particular intervention testing on small food store research in rural areas.
authors.affiliation: Gretchen Swanson Center for Nutrition, 8401 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, NE 68114, United States.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Pinard
authors.affiliation: Montana State University, Food and Health Lab, 960 Technology Blvd, Room 215, Bozeman MT 59718, United States.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Byker Shanks
authors.affiliation: Virginia Tech, Integrated Life Sciences Building, 1981 Kraft Dr., Room 1009, Blacksburg, VA 24060, United States.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Harden
authors.affiliation: Gretchen Swanson Center for Nutrition, 8401 West Dodge Road, Suite 100, Omaha, NE 68114, United States.
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Yaroch
keywords: Community-based participatory research; Convenience foods; Hunger; Obesity