Stocking characteristics and perceived increases in sales among small food store managers/owners associated with the introduction of new food products approved by the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children

Abstract

ObjectiveThe present study assessed the impact of the 2009 food packages mandated by the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) on perceived sales, product selection and stocking habits of small, WIC-authorized food stores.DesignA cross-sectional study involving in-depth interviews with store managers/owners.SettingSmall, WIC-authorized food stores in eight major cities in the USA.SubjectsFifty-two store managers/owners who had at least 1 year of experience in the store prior to study participation.ResultsThe WIC-approved food products (fresh, canned and frozen fruits; fresh, canned and frozen vegetables; wholegrain/whole-wheat bread; white corn/whole-wheat tortillas; brown rice; lower-fat milk (<2 %)) were acquired in multiple ways, although acquisition generally occurred 1–2 times/week. Factors such as customer requests (87 %), refrigerator/freezer availability (65 %) and profitability (71 %) were rated as very important when making stocking decisions. Most managers/owners perceived increases in sales of new WIC-approved foods including those considered most profitable (wholegrain/whole-wheat bread (89 %), lower-fat milk (89 %), white corn/whole wheat tortillas (54 %)), but perceived no changes in sales of processed fruits and vegetables. Supply mechanisms and frequency of supply acquisition were only moderately associated with perceived sales increases.ConclusionsRegardless of type or frequency of supply acquisition, perceived increases in sales provided some evidence for the potential sustainability of these WIC policy efforts and translation of this policy-based strategy to other health promotion efforts aimed at improving healthy food access in underserved communities.

Sustainability assessment of food supply chains: an application to local and global bread in Italy

“…Selection decisions on healthier foods by retailers in terms of profitability Ayala et al 2012;Bonakele and Mncube, 2012;Tsegaye, 2012;Gracia et al 2010;El-Lattief, 2011;Louw et al, 2013 Not available Not enough data to give a reasonable judgement…”

Use of a new availability index to evaluate the effect of policy changes to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) on the food environment in New Orleans

“…However, the increased scores observed in Connecticut were due largely to increased availability and variety of whole-grain products, while our analysis determined that increased availability of juices/fruits and infant fruits/ vegetables in addition to cereals/grains contributed to the increased scores within small WIC stores and juices/fruits and vegetables contributed within small non-WIC stores. Other investigators have also found store owners reported increased sales of and WIC recipients reported increase home availability and consumption of some of these same items shown to have increased in the retail food environment in New Orleans after the implementation of the revised WIC food packages (29,(39)(40)(41)(42)(43) .…”

WIC fruit and vegetable vouchers: Small farms face barriers in supplying produce

“…In a 2010 telephone survey of 52 managers of small WIC-authorized stores in eight major cities, most perceived their increased sales of fresh fruits (75%) and vegetables (69%) as due to the F&V vouchers; no changes in sales were reported for processed (canned and frozen) fruits and vegetables (Ayala et al 2012). Managers who reported a daily delivery of fruit to their stores were more likely to perceive a greater increase in sales, implying that the freshness and higher quality led WIC clientele to purchase more fruit.…”