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Perceptions of the Food Environment and Access among Predominantly Black Low-Income Residents of Rural Louisiana Communities

Author

Listed:
  • Denise Holston

    (School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Louisiana State University AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA)

  • Jessica Stroope

    (School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Louisiana State University AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA)

  • Matthew Greene

    (School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Louisiana State University AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA)

  • Bailey Houghtaling

    (School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Louisiana State University AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA)

Abstract

Food insecurity in rural settings is complex and not fully understood, especially from the perspective of low-income and Black residents. The goal of this study was to use qualitative methods to better understand experiences with food access and perceptions of the food environment among low-income, predominately Black rural Louisiana residents in the United States. Data were collected from focus group discussions (FGD) and focus group intake forms. Study participants were all rural residents eligible to receive at least one nutrition assistance program. FGD questions focused on perceptions of the food environment, with an emphasis on food access. Participants ( n = 44) were predominately Black and female. Over half ( n = 25) reported running out of food before the end of the month. Major themes included: store choice, outshopping, methods of acquiring foods other than the grocery store, and food insecurity. Concerns around price, quality, and transportation emerged as factors negatively impacting food security. Understanding residents’ perceptions and experiences is necessary to inform contextually appropriate and feasible policy and practice interventions that address the physical environment and social conditions that shape the broader physical food environment in order to achieve equitable food access and food security.

Suggested Citation

  • Denise Holston & Jessica Stroope & Matthew Greene & Bailey Houghtaling, 2020. "Perceptions of the Food Environment and Access among Predominantly Black Low-Income Residents of Rural Louisiana Communities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-14, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:15:p:5340-:d:389440
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mary Jane Lyonnais & Ann P. Rafferty & Stephanie Jilcott Pitts & Rebecca J. Blanchard & Archana P. Kaur, 2020. "Examining Shopping Patterns, Use of Food-Related Resources, and Proposed Solutions to Improve Healthy Food Access Among Food Insecure and Food Secure Eastern North Carolina Residents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-12, May.
    2. Coleman-Jensen, Alisha & Rabbitt, Matthew P & Gregory, Christian A & Singh, Anita, 2020. "Household Food Security in the United States in 2019," Economic Research Report 327207, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
    3. Oliveira, Victor, 2018. "The Food Assistance Landscape: FY 2017 Annual Report," Economic Information Bulletin 269581, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
    4. Coleman-Jensen, Alisha & Rabbitt, Matthew P. & Gregory, Christian A. & Singh, Anita, 2019. "Household Food Security in the United States in 2018," Economic Research Report 301167, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
    5. Oliveira, Victor, 2018. "The Food Assistance Landscape: FY 2017 Annual Report," Economic Information Bulletin 276246, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
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    Cited by:

    1. Linda Fergus & Richie Roberts & Denise Holston, 2021. "Healthy Eating in Low-Income Rural Louisiana Parishes: Formative Research for Future Social Marketing Campaigns," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-13, April.
    2. Ashlyn Anderson & Jacqueline Lazarus & Elizabeth Anderson Steeves, 2022. "Navigating Hidden Hunger: An Exploratory Analysis of the Lived Experience of Food Insecurity among College Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-17, October.
    3. Sullivan, James L. & Novak, David C., 2024. "A method for evaluating accessibility in transportation problems considering social vulnerability," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 317(3), pages 646-659.

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