Food supply adequacy in the Lower Mississippi Delta.

OBJECTIVE To assess food supply adequacy within 3 food store types in the Lower Mississippi Delta. DESIGN Regional food store survey to determine availability and quality of 102 food items in 62 supermarkets, 77 small/medium stores, and 86 convenience stores. SETTING Lower Mississippi Delta region of the United States. PARTICIPANTS 225 food stores in 18 counties. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Percentage of Thrifty Food Plan (TFP) food items available and quality ratings of 6 food sections across store types. RESULTS On average, supermarkets carried 96% of the items that compose the TFP. Mean percentage of TFP carried in small/medium stores was 50%. Convenience stores carried 28% of the TFP items. Supermarkets had higher overall quality ratings and quality ratings for fresh and frozen foods compared to small/medium and convenience stores (P<.01). IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH AND PRACTICE Although supermarkets carried a large percentage of items surveyed, the number of supermarkets in this region is limited. Community residents with limited transportation to reach supermarkets may experience limited food supply adequacy. Therefore, community-based nutrition interventions should include partnerships with small/medium food retailers while trying to impact residents' food choices within those stores.