UNC Master’s Students Map Food Vendors in Chatham County

Blog post originally from Chatham County Public Health Department - http://www.chathampublichealth.com/uncategorized/unc-masters-students-map-food-vendors-in-chatham-county/

Did you know there are over 70 locations in Chatham County that sell grocery items? Two Masters of Public Health Students from UNC – Chapel Hill visited all the stores, roadside stands, and farmers markets in the county as part of a project they are doing with the Chatham County Public Health Department this summer. The data the students have collected will be compiled into a map to illustrate where healthy foods are sold in Chatham County.

This map will then be used to explore the relationships between food availabilityand the health of the community. The Public Health Department will use this information to form partnerships with convenience stores in Chatham County to explore ways of offering more healthy food options and to promote healthy foods in stores.

Conveying data in the format of a map makes these relationships easier to recognize. Special mapping software, called ArcGIS, helps the human brain comprehend complex relationships and environments by displaying information through visual patterns. Using this software, the students will combine socio-demographic and health indicator data, such as income, education, or health outcomes with the healthy food map to better understand how these factors interact.

The main focus of this project is to see where fresh fruits and vegetables are available for purchase. However, the students also looked at other food groups to see if customers could also purchase foods that fulfill the United States Department of Agriculture’s MyPlate recommendations. MyPlate recommends fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and dairy products as the building blocks of a healthy diet.

This project is funded by the Community Transformation Grant, which focuses on healthy eating, tobacco-free living, and active living.