The introduction of new food retail opportunities in lower-income communities and the impact on fruit and vegetable intake: a systematic review

A lack of access to fresh fruits and vegetables (F&Vs) is associated with consumption of fewer F&Vs and higher risk of obesity, especially for lower-income individuals. It is widely believed that the addition of new food retail opportunities could improve F&V consumption and subsequently reduce the chronic disease burden. Observational studies provide some support for these hypotheses, but contradictions exist. In this study we sought to examine if the introduction of a food retailer affects F&V consumption in lower-income communities. We used a systematic PRISMA approach to conduct this study. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and ProQuest Dissertations & Theses for academic journal references and gray literature published before August 2018. Included studies were those looking at the effect of the introduction of a new food retailer on F&V consumption. Studies were also categorized based on which dimensions of food access were targeted by the food retailer. We identified 15 studies meeting inclusion criteria: 11 studies reported a positive increase in F&V consumption attributable to the introduction of a new food retailer, of which 6 were statistically significant. The remaining 4 studies, all of which examined the impact of introducing a new retail supermarket, showed no change or a decrease in F&V intake. Results from studies which change the food environment generally support the idea that increased access to healthy food improves diet, but more studies are needed in order to assess the differences between the various types of retailers, and to identify strategies for improving impact. Understanding which types of new food retail programs are most likely to impact diet has implications for policies which incentivize new food retail.