COMMUNITY NUTRITION

This community food assessment project conducted explored food environments and residents' grocery shopping patterns in East Tampa neighborhoods. The research team conducted store observations, consumer surveys, focus groups, and store manager interviews to better understand the access to healthy foods in the community. 

The findings imply that there is a need to improve the availability and accessibility of healthy foods in East Tampa neighborhoods by promoting healthy food options and fresh produce, adjusting prices for healthy food items, and improving the variety and quality of foods in existing stores. In addition, as the majority of community residents prefer to shop at large supermarkets or chain stores for their grocery needs, policymakers and community organizations could explore strategies to attract more healthy food retailers to the area. 

Many community residents reported that they travel outside their neighborhoods to find better quality and price of foods. Policymakers and community organizations could explore strategies to increase supermarket density and improve public transportation options to connect residents with healthy food retail stores.