The Effects of Mealtime Behaviors and Beliefs on Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Consumption in Food Deserts

The objective of this study was to identify the effects of mealtime habits, knowledge, and skills on fresh fruit and vegetable (FFV) consumption in food deserts. A survey of 1200 respondents was conducted in food deserts across three metropolitan areas in north Florida. Planning meals around meat, lack of cooking skills, viewing vegetables as luxury items, and other incomplete skills, lack of knowledge, or negative mealtime habits resulted in lower consumption of FFV, even when controlling for access. Our results underscore the importance of an approach to food security that emphasizes both nutrition education and improving access in food deserts.