Summary
Abstract Objective To conduct a pilot study to determine if improving the visibility and quality of fresh produce (choice architecture) in corner stores would increase fruit/vegetable purchases by families participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Design Six stores were randomly assigned to choice architecture intervention or control. Store-level WIC sales data were provided by the state. Primary outcomes were WIC fruit/vegetable voucher and non-fruit/vegetable voucher sales, comparing trends from baseline (December 2012–October 2013) with the five-month intervention period (December 2013–April 2014). Secondary outcomes were differences in customer self-reported fruit/vegetable purchases between baseline and end of the intervention. Setting Chelsea, MA, USA, a low-income urban community. Subjects Adult customers ( n 575) completing store exit interviews. Results During baseline, WIC fruit/vegetable and non-fruit/vegetable sales decreased in both intervention and control stores by $US 16/month. During the intervention period, WIC fruit/vegetable sales increased in intervention stores by $US 40/month but decreased in control stores by $US 23/month (difference in trends: $US 63/month; 95 % CI 4, 121 $US/month; P =0·036); WIC non-fruit/vegetable sales were not different ( P =0·45). Comparing baseline and intervention-period exit interview responses by customers participating in WIC ( n 134), intervention store customers reported increased fruit/vegetable purchases compared with control store customers (18 v . −2 %), but this did not achieve statistical significance ( P =0·11). Conclusions Placement of fruits/vegetables near the front of corner stores increased purchase of produce by customers using WIC. New policies that incentivize stores to stock and prominently display good-quality produce could promote healthier food choices of low-income families.
Outcomes reported
Referenced by PLOS supermarket placement trial as citation 52; likely supports topic area: supermarket placement / food retail environment; obesity / chronic disease / public health; methods / modelling / statistics. Topics: methods / modelling / statistics; obesity / chronic disease / public health; supermarket placement / food retail environment Evidence type: Trial / experiment Source report: PLOS supermarket placement trial Ref#: PLOS supermarket placement trial #52 Original: Thorndike AN, Bright O-JM, Dimond MA, Fishman R, Levy DE. Choice architecture to promote fruit and vegetable purchases by families partic ipating in the Special Supplemental Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): randomized corner store pilot study. Public Health Nutr. 2017;20(7):1297-305. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980016003074 PMID: 27890020
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