The role of food gateways at increasing access to alternative retail food outlets.

Alternative retail food outlets (ARFOs), places where customers purchase foods outside of traditional supermarkets, grocery stores, or food service establishments, may play a role in improving food access in communities that are food deserts. This study was conducted to understand the way ARFOs function to support food systems and access to fruits and vegetables in low-resource communities. This qualitative study conducted 16 interviews with managers, volunteers, and customers in two produce market ARFOs in a primarily minority urban community.

Qualitative Focus Groups: Perceived Influences on Decision Making About Diet and Physical Activity Among Hispanic/Latino Participants.

Disparities in minority health are strongly associated with reduced access to culturally familiar food and physical activity opportunities. This qualitative study explores a Midwest, urban Hispanic/Latino community, the members' experiences with their multidimensional environment and its influence on their nutrition and physical activity choices. Using the principles of community-based participatory research in collaboration with a trusted, local Hispanic/Latino community agency, we conducted five bilingual focus groups with a total of 46 self-selected participants (44 women and 2 men).