Saxe-Custack Amy, Lofton Heather Claire, Hanna-Attisha Mona, Tata Zachary, Ceja Tiffany, LaChance Jenny
Michigan State University, Flint, MI, USA.
The Family Institute at Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
Glob Pediatr Health. 2019 Aug 27;6:2333794X19870989. doi: 10.1177/2333794X19870989. eCollection 2019.
An innovative farmers' market incentive program designed specifically for children was implemented to address persistent challenges with accessing fresh, nutrient-rich foods in a food desert community. The current study sought to qualitatively examine caregiver perceptions of the incentive program. Following distribution of farmers' market incentives to all children (ages 0 to 15 years) at 43 Flint-area early childcare facilities and elementary schools, researchers conducted semistructured interviews with 37 caregivers (mean age = 39.59 ± 11.73 years). The majority were female (87%) and African American (53%). Through these interviews, researchers explored family experiences with the farmers' market incentive program, as well as changes in environmental factors that may have resulted from program participation. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim for textual analysis. Thematic analysis was used to identify patterns across transcripts and formulate emerging themes. Four recurrent themes emerged during interviews: (1) fruit and vegetable access, (2) child influence, (3) autonomous grocery shopping, and (4) program expansion. Interview participants indicated that the farmers' market incentive program was an effective tool to both encourage families to visit the farmers' market and purchase fresh foods there. Program design, particularly distribution to children, was credited with introducing families to the local farmers' market. The current study suggests that a farmers' market incentive program targeting children who reside in a food desert community may have meaningful impacts on access to fresh, nutrient-rich foods.
一项专门为儿童设计的创新型农贸市场激励计划得以实施，旨在应对食品沙漠社区在获取新鲜、营养丰富的食物方面长期存在的挑战。本研究旨在定性考察照料者对该激励计划的看法。在向弗林特地区43所早期儿童保育机构和小学的所有儿童（0至15岁）发放农贸市场激励措施后，研究人员对37名照料者（平均年龄 = 39.59 ± 11.73岁）进行了半结构化访谈。大多数照料者为女性（87%）且是非裔美国人（53%）。通过这些访谈，研究人员探讨了家庭参与农贸市场激励计划的经历，以及因参与该计划可能导致的环境因素变化。访谈进行了录音，并逐字转录以供文本分析。采用主题分析法来识别各份转录文本中的模式并形成新出现的主题。访谈过程中出现了四个反复出现的主题：（1）水果和蔬菜的获取，（2）儿童的影响，（3）自主购物，以及（4）计划扩展。访谈参与者表示，农贸市场激励计划是鼓励家庭前往农贸市场并在那里购买新鲜食品的有效工具。该计划的设计，尤其是向儿童发放激励措施，被认为使家庭了解了当地的农贸市场。本研究表明，针对居住在食品沙漠社区的儿童的农贸市场激励计划可能会对获取新鲜、营养丰富的食物产生有意义的影响。
