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Title: IS AVAILABILITY OF LOW-FAT MILK A PROBLEM IN RURAL COMMUNITIES?

Author
item McCabe Sellers, Beverly
item BALDWIN, C - ACHRI, CLINICAL NUTRITION
item STRASNER, M - UNIV ARKANSAS MEDICAL SCI
item AYLOR, E - UNIV ARKANSAS MEDICAL SCI

Submitted to: Meeting Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/1/2003
Publication Date: 5/28/2004
Citation: McCabe, B.J., Baldwin, C., Strasner, M., Aylor, E. 2004. Is availability of low-fat milk a problem in rural communities [abstract]? XIV International Congress of Dietetics. Available:http://www.international\dietetics.org

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: AIMS: To assess availability of various types of milk in three rural counties in Arkansas as judged by the amount of shelf-space occupied by these milk types in grocery and convenience stores. METHODS: A store list was developed from telephone directories, newspaper advertising, and by driving through the three counties. Each store was designated as either a grocery store or a convenience store and by location in county quadrants. Verbal consent was obtained from the store manager prior to manually counting the number of and container sizes of all types of milk in the stores. Only fresh milk was counted. Using Weschler's methods, total quarts of milk available in the county were calculated for each type of milk and the percentage of total milk represented by each type. RESULTS: The number of stores varied between 10 and 15 in the three counties. Only grocery stores in larger towns carried all types of milk. All stores sold whole milk; most sold 2% (reduced fat) milk. In one county 70% (n=7) of the stores sold skim milk but the total volume of skim milk represented only 5% of available milk. Least available was 1% skim milk. In one county, skim milk was available only in one quadrant of the county and in only two quadrants of another county. Even when skim milk is available, the total volume available is much lower than for higher fat milk. Thus, customers may be less likely to find and chose low fat milk because of limited availability.