Building Program Capacity Through Food Environment Assessments

This study will assess the food environment of several low-income communities in Florida to provide a basis for recommendations that enhance healthy food resources and align nutrition education programming with environmental supports. A community was selected from each of the five Extension Service administrative districts. The five communities or neighborhoods assessed were Linton Oaks (Alachua County), Franklin Park (Broward County), Central Avenue (Osceola County), North Port (Sarasota County), and East Milton (Santa Rosa County). Built environments can influence community well being and affect an individuals ability to access affordable healthy foods. Past studies have shown that less healthful options are available in low-income communities. This study describes the food environment of low-income communities where the Family Nutrition Program (FNP) provides programming. FNP staff canvassed each neighborhood noting the type and number of food outlets. The Nutrition Environment Measures Survey was used to provide observational measures for several food outlets in each neighborhood. A total of 46 food outlets across the five communities were evaluated. In each community, convenience stores out-numbered grocery stores and in urban counties convenience stores and fast food restaurants accounted for more than half of the food outlets. Results supported the need for increased access to healthy food in these communities. Recommendations to support FNP programming include working with local stakeholders to organize weekly farmers or mobile markets; partnering with organizations to improve food security; promotion of healthy food options in local restaurants; and informing vending machine policy.