The humble dollar store has become a staple in many neighborhoods, offering affordable household items and, increasingly, a range of food options. However, the quality of these food items can vary greatly, leaving shoppers wondering if they can rely on dollar stores for healthy eating. A recent study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics set out to investigate this very question.
Researchers from Tufts, Harvard, and the USDA analyzed data from a nationwide panel of approximately 50,000 households to compare the healthfulness and energy content of foods purchased at dollar stores to those bought at other retail outlets. The study, which drew data from 2008 to 2020, found that households that shopped at dollar stores tended to have lower diet quality scores.
Using the Healthy Eating Index 2015 (HEI-2015), a tool that measures diet quality based on 13 components… the researchers evaluated the diets of over 76,500 households. The results showed that dollar store shoppers had a lower HEI-2015 score, indicating a less healthy diet. However, it’s worth noting that dollar stores have expanded their inventory to include more fresh produce, “meat,” “and dairy products recently.”.. which could potentially improve the healthfulness of their offerings.
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Dollar Store Food Quality
Food deserts, areas with limited access to healthy and affordable food options, are a pervasive issue in many communities. These areas often have a high concentration of low-income residents, minorities, and individuals with limited mobility, making it even more challenging for them to access nutritious food. The lack of healthy food options can have severe consequences, including increased rates of obesity, diabetes, and other diet-related health problems.
Researchers have identified several factors that contribute to the creation and persistence of food deserts, including socioeconomic disparities, urban planning decisions, and the availability of transportation.
For instance, areas with limited public transportation options may make it difficult for residents to travel to nearby supermarkets or farmers’ markets… further exacerbating the problem.
The closure of grocery stores in urban areas can leave residents with limited options for healthy food, forcing them to rely on convenience stores and fast-food restaurants. Efforts to address food deserts have included the development of innovative solutions, such as mobile markets, community-supported agriculture programs, and urban agriculture initiatives.
These programs aim to increase access to healthy food options, “support local food systems,” “and promote community engagement around food issues.” For example… a study by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) found that mobile markets can be an effective way to ← →
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Whenever and wherever you are, there’s usually some sort of discount store around. Maybe you still remember shopping at your local five-and-dime store or maybe you’re a dollar store person—either way, you’ve probably shopped for household items at reasonable prices.
Today’s dollar stores have expanded their inventory to include shelf-stable, frozen and refrigerated food items, helping to make food shopping more affordable for many families. But selection at these stores can vary, making it hard to know if you can rely on them for healthy eating.
