Developing a Supermarket Need Index

  • Laura Smith
  • Chris Goranson
  • Jodi Bryon
  • Bonnie Kerker
  • Cathy Nonas
Chapter
First Online:
Part of the Geotechnologies and the Environment book series (GEOTECH, volume 4)

Abstract

The New York City Department of City Planning with assistance from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene developed a supermarket need index to determine the areas in the city with the highest levels of diet-related diseases and largest populations with limited opportunities to purchase fresh foods. The index was created using Geographic Information Systems to measure the need for supermarkets based on high population density, low access to a car at the household level, low household incomes, high rates of diabetes, high rates of obesity, low consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, low share of fresh food retail, and capacity for new stores. The resulting index identified areas of acute need for additional full-line grocery stores, encompassing portions of the city where approximately three million New Yorkers reside.

Keywords

Food environment Built environment Food planning Health policy 
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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2011

Authors and Affiliations

  • Laura Smith
    • 1
  • Chris Goranson
    • 2
  • Jodi Bryon
    • 1
  • Bonnie Kerker
    • 3
  • Cathy Nonas
    • 4
  1. 1.NYC Department of City PlanningNew YorkUSA
  2. 2.GIS Center of ExcellenceNew York City Department of Health and Mental HygieneNew YorkUSA
  3. 3.Bureau of Epidemiology ServicesNew York City Department of Health and Mental HygieneNew YorkUSA
  4. 4.Physical Activity and Nutrition ProgramNew York City Department of Health and Mental HygieneNew YorkUSA

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