Primary Grocery Shopping Location is Associated With Vegetable Consumption in Underserved Communities

Objective: This paper characterizes the relationship between primary grocery shopping location (i.e., primary store type) and food security status, fruit and vegetable consumption, and perceptions of the food environment. Methods: Survey data from shoppers in predominantly lower-income urban areas were analyzed to identify associations with primary store type (supermarket, supercenter, buying club, or small grocery store). Results: Among respondents (n = 698), most reported a supermarket as their primary store type (67.5%). There were no associations between primary store type and food security or fruit consumption, but vegetable intake was higher for small grocery store (2.00 times/d) and supermarket customers (1.82 times/d) compared with supercenter shoppers (1.52 times/d, P = 0.006 and 0.04, respectively). Small stores were also rated as having more affordable produce than supermarkets (P < 0.001), and perceived affordability was associated with higher vegetable intake (P = 0.009). Conclusions and Implications: Understanding shoppers’ perceptions of food stores may help identify targets for improving diet.