Nutrition and Health Programming and Outreach in Grocery Retail Settings: A Community Coalition in Action

Grocery stores can provide a conducive environment for interventions targeting healthy eating and access to health services, particularly in low-income communities. A wide array of organizations deliver nutrition and related programs in community settings, but rarely in a coordinated fashion. Collaboration of local health promotion organizations with grocery stores could increase consumers' access to and selection of healthy foods and related services. This evaluation of the In-Store Programming and Outreach Coalition (IPOC) uses thematic analysis of first-person accounts from coalition members. To our knowledge, this is the first study of such a coalition. We present perspectives from six stakeholders about the IPOC strengths, challenges, and recommendations for strengthening the delivery of in-store interventions. Themes identified include partnership, increased client reach and cross-referrals, conflicting work schedules, leadership, and recommendations to identify coalition leaders and expand services to other grocery stores. We conclude that grocery stores can offer a suitable setting for programming and community outreach through coalitions.

Automated summary

Grocery stores can create a favorable environment for interventions targeting healthy eating and access to health services, especially in low-income communities. Collaboration between local health organizations and grocery stores can improve consumers' access to and selection of healthy foods and services. This study evaluates the In-Store Programming and Outreach Coalition (IPOC) by analyzing first-person accounts from coalition members, and provides perspectives on the strengths, challenges, and recommendations for strengthening in-store interventions. Themes identified include partnership, increased client reach, conflicting work schedules, leadership, and expanding services to other grocery stores. The study concludes that grocery stores can effectively contribute to programming and community outreach through coalitions.