Navigating the Food Environment: Healthy Food Availability in SNAP-Authorized Drugstores in North Carolina

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Kennedy, A. (2016). Navigating the Food Environment: Healthy Food Availability in SNAP-Authorized Drugstores in North Carolina. Unc Charlotte Electronic Theses And Dissertations.
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Abstract

The number of major drugstore chains (such as Walgreens, CVS, and Rite Aid) that accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in North Carolina as dramatically increased. From 2000 to 2015, the number of stores accepting SNAP increased from 7 to 796 stores. This study examines the availability of food and beverage items among a sample of SNAP-authorized drugstores in three regions of North Carolina. Observations were made on 53 possible food and beverage items offered at 108 stores across three major chains (36 Walgreens, 36 CVS, and 36 Rite Aid). The frequency and percent of stores that offered each food and beverage item were calculated. Chi-square tests were employed to compare available food and beverage items by stores located in rural and urban locations, stores located in areas with majority white and majority minority residents, and stores located in food deserts. Results show only 3% of drugstores offered fresh fruit and 4% offered fresh vegetables. More than 90% of drugstores offered the following items: frozen entrees, whole or 2% milk, 100% fruit juice, white rice, peanut butter, dry pasta, low-sugar cereal, potato chips, low-sugar granola or cereal bars, soda, beer, and wine. The frequency of food and beverage items offered did not differ by rural/urban location, neighborhood race majority, or food desert status. In conclusion, while drugstores may not be used as a primary source for groceries, there are many SNAP-authorized drugstores in North Carolina. Researchers studying community food environment are encouraged to consider the role of drugstores as a food resource for SNAP recipients.

Details
Author

Kennedy, Ashley

Title

Navigating the Food Environment: Healthy Food Availability in SNAP-Authorized Drugstores in North Carolina

Physical Description

1 online resource (39 pages) : PDF

Date

2016

Degree Granting Institution

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Abstract

The number of major drugstore chains (such as Walgreens, CVS, and Rite Aid) that accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in North Carolina as dramatically increased. From 2000 to 2015, the number of stores accepting SNAP increased from 7 to 796 stores. This study examines the availability of food and beverage items among a sample of SNAP-authorized drugstores in three regions of North Carolina. Observations were made on 53 possible food and beverage items offered at 108 stores across three major chains (36 Walgreens, 36 CVS, and 36 Rite Aid). The frequency and percent of stores that offered each food and beverage item were calculated. Chi-square tests were employed to compare available food and beverage items by stores located in rural and urban locations, stores located in areas with majority white and majority minority residents, and stores located in food deserts. Results show only 3% of drugstores offered fresh fruit and 4% offered fresh vegetables. More than 90% of drugstores offered the following items: frozen entrees, whole or 2% milk, 100% fruit juice, white rice, peanut butter, dry pasta, low-sugar cereal, potato chips, low-sugar granola or cereal bars, soda, beer, and wine. The frequency of food and beverage items offered did not differ by rural/urban location, neighborhood race majority, or food desert status. In conclusion, while drugstores may not be used as a primary source for groceries, there are many SNAP-authorized drugstores in North Carolina. Researchers studying community food environment are encouraged to consider the role of drugstores as a food resource for SNAP recipients.

Genre

masters theses

Subjects--Topics

Sociology
Public health
Nutrition

Degree

M.A.

Keywords

Food Environment
Healthy Food

Subject Area

Sociology

Advisor(s)

Scheid, Teresa

Committee Members

Racine, Elizabeth
Jason, Kendra

Degree Note

Thesis (M.A.)--University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 2016.

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This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). For additional information, see http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/.

Rights Holder Information

Copyright is held by the author unless otherwise indicated.

Identifier

Kennedy_uncc_0694N_11127

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.13093/etd:313