Factors Influencing Local Food Procurement Among Women of Reproductive Age in Rural Eastern and Western North Carolina (USA)

Authors

  • Jared T. McGuirt University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  • Rachel Ward East Tennessee State University
  • Nadya Majette Elliott East Carolina University
  • Sally Lawrence Bullock University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  • Stephanie B. Jilcott Pitts East Carolina State University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5304/jafscd.2014.044.004

Keywords:

Farmers Markets, Food Stamps, Rural, Women of Reproductive Age, Local Food, SNAP/EBT

Abstract

Little is known about the barriers and facilitators to local food procurement among women of reproductive age (WRA). Therefore we conducted qualitative interviews with WRA in rural eastern and western NC (ENC and WNC) to learn of factors related to locally sourced food procurement. In-depth interviews were conducted among low-income White, Black, and Hispanic English speaking WRA (N=62 (ENC: 37; WNC: 23) (18–44 years)). Independent coders used a consensus codebook to double-code all transcripts. Coders then came together to discuss and resolve coding discrepancies, and identified themes and salient quotes. Cross-cutting themes from both ENC and WNC participants included: access to local food sources; acceptance of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program/Electronic Benefit Transfer (SNAP/EBT); freshness of produce; support for local agriculture; and the community aspect of local food sourcing. The in-depth understanding gained from this study could be used to guide tailored policy and intervention efforts aimed at promoting fruit and vegetable consumption among low-income WRA.

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Author Biographies

Jared T. McGuirt, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

MPH, Research Assistant, Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; 2200 McGavran-Greenberg Hall; Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599 USA; +1-910-249-2296.

Rachel Ward, East Tennessee State University

MPH, Research Assistant, Department of Community Health, East Tennessee State University; Johnson City, Tennessee USA; +1-828-808-7913.

Nadya Majette Elliott, East Carolina University

MPH, Research Assistant, Department of Public Health, East Carolina University; 600 Moye Boulevard, MS 660; Greenville, North Carolina 27834 USA; +1-252-744-4034.

Sally Lawrence Bullock, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

MPH, Research Assistant, Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; 2200 McGavran-Greenberg Hall; Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599 USA.

Stephanie B. Jilcott Pitts, East Carolina State University

PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Public Health, East Carolina University; 600 Moye Boulevard, MS 660 Lakeside Annex 7; Greenville, North Carolina 27834 USA; +1-252-744-5572.

Published

2014-08-12

How to Cite

McGuirt, J. T., Ward, R., Elliott, N. M., Bullock, S. L., & Jilcott Pitts, S. B. (2014). Factors Influencing Local Food Procurement Among Women of Reproductive Age in Rural Eastern and Western North Carolina (USA). Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, 4(4), 143–154. https://doi.org/10.5304/jafscd.2014.044.004

Issue

Section

Open Call Paper