The Baltimore Urban food Distribution (BUD) App: Study Protocol for A Food Systems Intervention

Abstract Background: Low-income urban communities in the United States commonly lack ready access to healthy foods. This is due in part to a food distribution system that favors the provision of high-fat, high-sugar, high-sodium processed foods to small retail food stores, and impedes their healthier alternatives, such as fresh produce. Methods: The Baltimore Urban food Distribution (BUD) study is a multi-level, multi-component systems intervention that aims to improve healthy food access in low income neighborhoods of Baltimore, Maryland. The primary intervention is the BUD application (app), which uses the power of collective purchasing and delivery to affordably move foods from local producers and wholesalers to the city’s many corner stores. We will implement the app in a sample of 38 corner stores, randomized to intervention and comparison. Extensive evaluation will be conducted at each level of the intervention to assess effectiveness via process and impact measures on suppliers, corner stores, and consumers. Discussion: BUD represents one of the first attempts to implement an intervention that engages multiple levels of a local food system. The design of the intervention and the evaluation plan of the BUD project are documented here.Trial registration #: #### (register since not yet recruiting)