Corner Store Analysis

Investigating aspects of food availability in rural areas through corner store analysis is the second component of my research on this trip. Given it was the first component that I felt relatively comfortable with, I hadn't revisited the topic much until recently.

It all began with Dr. Alice Ammerman, linked in the previous blog, coming up with the idea of studying this while on the Cycle 20Ten Trip. She pulled some strings and of course got an expert in the field involved. Dr. Joseph Sharkey, of Texas A&M's Center for Environmental and Rural Health, was contacted by Dr. Ammerman and willing to help with this project. The group, including Cycle 20Ten group leader Brian Burnham, was supposed to meet over dinner at Dr. Ammerman's house while Dr. Sharkey was in the Chapel Hill area; however, flight issues resulted in a conference phone call being scheduled instead. After a very productive discussion including inputs from Dr. Ammerman's dog and Dr. Sharkey's parrot, we ended our phone call with a preliminary game plan. See details regarding Dr. Sharkey's research by clicking the link below:

Dr. Sharkey

With the aid of both Dr. Ammerman and Dr. Sharkey, I recently constructed the actual research plan for conducting my corner store analysis twice a week on the bicycling trip. It is listed below:

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Corner Store Analysis Plan

1. Determine town center according to Tom Tom GPS device. Record location coordinates.

2. Locate local food stores including traditional (e.g. grocery stores), convenience (e.g. gas station), and nontraditional (e.g. drug stores). Record location coordinates.

3. Photograph location to record the store’s physical surroundings.

4. Access the level of healthy food options available in these stores:
a. Low Sugar or High Fiber Cereal (e.g., plain cornflakes, puffed rice (Rice Krispies), plain toasted oats (cheerios), plain bran flakes, shredded wheat or generic)
b. Reduced Fat (2%)/Low Fat (1%)/Skim Milk (Fat Free)
c. Baked Chips
d. Whole Wheat Bread/Tortillas (it must say “100% whole grain,” “whole wheat,” “100% whole wheat,”, or “whole wheat.” If the first item includes the word “enriched”, it is NOT a whole grain product).
e. 100% Fruit Juice
f. Fresh produce
i. Fruits
ii. Vegetables
g. Canned produce
i. Fruits (in light syrup, juice, water, or calorie reduced syrup)
ii. Vegetables (plain – not in sauce)

5. Record these foods and photograph interesting features.

6. Possible informal interviews with town citizens to determine if local Farmers Markets or Fruit/Vegetable Stands exist.

7. Record general observations such as level of walking, biking, driving of the area, etc.

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Please excuse the formating above. With less than a week remaining before departure, I am getting very exciting about the trip. I'm hoping that the above plan will enable me to gather relevant data regarding food options in rural areas.