The last post about how supermarkets impact our dietary trends got me thinking of how our own community measures up. Although I don't want to promote a specific brand of grocery stores, I think the way that Sobeys has integrated Urban Fresh Markets in settings which are filled with convenience stores, fast food outlets, and restaurants provides a healthier and convenient option for people to access healthier alternatives. There are two of these stores, one on Jasper Ave, and the other near University of Alberta. Although I am unsure of how cost effective is to shop at these stores, I think it's a good step in integrating supermarkets and healthy food options into day to day food outlets.
I am curious to see if people living or working near the U of A have noticed any changes in their dietary trends since the opening of the place a couple years ago?
Creating capacity for healthy foods in our community is an important step in how people choose their diets. Adding readily accessible foods, especially in disadvantaged communities has been succesful in many different communities such as in California, and perhaps should be tried as a strategy to reduce the risk of obesity in low SES communities.
1 comment:
Do you know something? I think you can take this one step further beyond just the presence of Sobeys in a given neighborhood. I think some discussion can be initiated with regards to how shopping centers such as Sobeys, are organized/laid out. For instance, whenever you enter Sobeys or Safeway, the first thing you see (and it just absolutely cannot be missed) is the Vegetables and Fruits area that take up at least a quarter of the stores space. Most people end up walking through the vegetable/fruit area before diverging into the rest of the aisles. And I suppose there is also the bread and bakery that's right there. I may be mistaken, but this is not quite the case for Superstore? I don't know.
Anyways, my point being is: the use of shopping stores is not a function of your socioeconomic background or what not. If you need to buy food, you go to a shopping store, done. But if you can capitalize and recognize the fact that the way a shopping store is laid out has a potential correlation to the health habits of it's consumers- well, that's something to consider, right? And generally speaking, it doesn't have to be limited to fruits/vegetables: it can be trans fats, it can be juices over pop, and so on and so on. Don't get me wrong, this is not an ultimate solution. The idea is not necessarily new either. But it warrants at least a comment....lol
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