What role can farmers markets play in the larger context of food access? A simulation model with application to the state of Maine

For areas of low food access, farmers markets and associated incentive programs have often been proposed as a means to increase the accessibility of fresh, nutritious food. Despite these efforts, access to healthful foods re -mains complicated. We discuss a multi-dimensional indicator of access - reflecting the availability, affordability, acceptability of nutritious food - that acknowledges the constraints under which households operate. We then use a simulation model to evaluate how access to local foods changes as farmers markets and conventional food retailers are added and removed from areas of low access. To give context to these results, we use various public data sources to consider food access in the state of Maine. Our simulated model shows that across Maine counties, SNAP households' access to grocery stores plays a much larger role in overall food access than farmers markets and that, for additional farmers markets to improve food access, explicit consideration of the barriers facing households is necessary.

Automated summary

For areas with limited access to food, farmers markets and incentive programs have been suggested to increase the availability of fresh and nutritious food. However, despite these efforts, access to healthful foods remains complex. This study proposes a multi-dimensional indicator of access that considers the availability, affordability, and acceptability of nutritious food within the constraints faced by households. Using a simulation model, the researchers evaluate the impact of adding or removing farmers markets and conventional food retailers on food access in areas with low access. The findings suggest that access to grocery stores plays a larger role in overall food access for SNAP households in Maine counties, highlighting the importance of considering household barriers when implementing additional farmers markets.