Assessing Preliminary Impact of the North Carolina Community Transformation Grant Project Farmers\u27 Market Initiatives Among Rural Residents

Objective: Using the Social Determinants of Health as the study\u27s theoretical underpinning, the authors examined the impact of the North Carolina Community Transformation Grant Project farmers\u27 market initiatives on changes in awareness and use of farmers\u27 markets, and fruit and vegetable consumption. Methods: During the farmers\u27 market season, the researchers conducted a random digit-dial telephone survey among residents in 3 rural North Carolina counties to examine changes in farmers\u27 market awareness, shopping, and fruit and vegetable consumption. They examined change over 1 year using t tests, chi-square tests, and propensity score matching. Results: In 1 county there were increases in farmers\u27 market shopping and fruit and vegetable consumption, and in 1 county there were decreases in farmers\u27 market shopping and fruit and vegetable consumption. Conclusions and Implications: The impact of farmers\u27 market initiatives may be affected by county-specific socioeconomic contexts

Changes to SNAP-authorized retailer stocking requirements and the supply of foods and beverages in low-income communities in seven U.S. states

Less than one-half of small food stores audited in low-income communities met the USDA’s 2016 proposed expansion of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-authorized retailer stocking requirements