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Title: LOW FRUIT AND VEGETABLE AVAILABILITY IN TWO SMALL, RURAL LOWER MISSISSIPPI DELTA COMMUNITIES

Author
item THOMPSON, VICTORIA - DELTA NIRI
item McCabe Sellers, Beverly
item Staggs, Cathleen
item Strickland, Earline
item Bogle, Margaret

Submitted to: Journal of Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/20/2006
Publication Date: 3/6/2006
Citation: Thompson, V.J., McCabe Sellers, B.J., Staggs, C.G., Strickland, E., Bogle, M.L. 2006. Low fruit and vegetables availability in two small, rural Lower Mississippi Delta communities [abstract]. Journal of Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. 20(4):A552.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption reduces the risk of developing many chronic diseases and is encouraged by the 2005 dietary guidelines for Americans, MyPyramid, 5-A Day, and other health campaigns. The rural Lower Mississippi Delta (LMD) is plagued by high food insecurity, hunger, and increasing prevalence of nutritionally responsive chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension. LMD residents consume 20% fewer fruit and vegetables than most Americans. Central to eating FV is their availability in both the community and the home. In the summer of 2005, the LMD Nutrition Intervention Research Initative (NIRI) surveyed 94% of the retail food markets (RFM) (not including eating places) in one rural Arkansas community (n=7) and one rural Mississippi community (n=8). Fresh fruit and fresh, dried, or frozen vegetables were available in 20% (n=3) and 53% (n=5) of the RFM, respectively. Of the fresh fruit available, 24% (n=5) were classified as low-quality items. The most widely available fresh or dried vegetables were Great Northern and Pinto (brown) beans. Bananas, oranges, lemons, and melons were the most widely available fresh fruit. The low availability of fresh, frozen, or dried FV within these two communities precludes many residents from meeting FV and consumption recommendations. Effective strategies and interventions are needed to promote FV availability and consumption by residents of these rural LMD communities.