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Title: LOWER MISSISSIPPI DELTA SUPERMARKET FOOD PRICES COMPARE FAVORABLY WITH NATIONAL PRICES

Author
item YADRICK, KATHLEEN - UNIV SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI
item SIMPSON, PIPPA - ACHRI-DAC
item GOSSETT, JEFF - ACHRI-DAC
item CONNELL, CAROL - UNIV SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI
item MCGEE, BERNESTINE - SOUTHERN UNIV AND A&M
item McCabe Sellers, Beverly
item Bogle, Margaret

Submitted to: International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/13/2006
Publication Date: 7/4/2006
Citation: Yadrick, K., Simpson, P., Gossett, J., Connell, C., McGee, B., McCabe Sellers, B.J., Bogle, M.L. 2006. Lower Mississippi Delta supermarket food prices compare favorably with national prices. In: Proceedings of the International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, July 13-16, 2006, Boston, Massachusetts. p. 259.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Purpose: To determine aspects of access to food in at risk populations, data on prices of 26 foods in the lower Mississippi Delta were compared with national price data. Methods: Food prices in the Delta were obtained through in-store surveys of 62 supermarkets, 77 small/medium and 86 convenience stores in 18 counties in the region. Surveyors priced the lowest-cost alternative of each food, as sold. Mean prices of standard units of foods (e.g. pound), for all store types, were compared with Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for the same time period. Sample weights were applied to calculations based on contribution of each store type to sampling frame. BLS prices used for comparison were US city average of prices obtained in 85 urban areas for the Consumer Price Index. Mean Delta price for each food item was calculated based on prices in all stores that carried the item, with missing data omitted. Results: When comparing Delta prices for all store types with national prices, 4 of 5 fresh fruits, 1 of 3 fresh vegetables, 4 of 4 fresh meats, 3 of 4 grain products, 2 of 3 dairy products, eggs, dried beans, shortening and sugar were more expensive in the Delta. When comparing Delta supermarket prices with national prices, only 5 of 26 products were more expensive in the Delta. Conclusions: Food prices, independent of other factors such as income and supermarket density, do not appear to limit access to food in the Delta, based on these limited price comparisons.