food retail site-level assessment questionnaire: small ... · the questionnaire is comprised mostly...

CalFresh Healthy Living Food Retail – Small Store SLAQ, rev June 2019, FFY 2019 PILOT version UC ANR Nutrition Policy Institute

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Food Retail Site-level Assessment Questionnaire: Small Food Stores (1-3 registers)

PILOT VERSION FOR FFY 2019 ONLY

Developed by the University of California Nutrition Policy Institute

for the California Department of Public Health

This tool is designed to help you assess how this store progresses over time to support healthy eating and physical activity. This questionnaire should be completed by the CalFresh Healthy Living staff who will be working with the store to implement PSE interventions, and should be completed once the store is on board, but before you begin making changes for the fiscal year. The questionnaire is comprised mostly of observations of the store environment, but also includes questions to ask the store manager.

It is not expected that all, or even many, of the policies and practices described in the questionnaire will be fully in place at this time. The goal is to measure change and improvements over time, so please do your best to accurately estimate the current situation. Your assessment results can be used to help you decide where to focus your efforts. You will be asked to update these responses every year in order to capture the advances that are made at this site.

Keep the following in mind, as you move through the questions: • Please select the response options that most closely correspond to the situation that you observe • Use the last section, “Other comments” to let us know if there are other healthy eating and physical activity

practices at this site that are not included here

*Site ID: This is the Site ID that is assigned by the PEARS system and can be found here.

Store Information:

LHD: _________________ Contact (Name/Email): _________________________________

Site Name: ____________________________________________________ Site ID*: ______

Address: ___________________________________________________________________

Length of CalFresh Healthy Living involvement at this site: _____ year(s) _____ month(s)

Date of current assessment: __ __ / __ __ / __ __ Reporting for FFY: __ __ __ __

Date of last assessment: __ __ / __ __ / __ __ q N/A – this is the first year of assessment

Does the store accept WIC? (i.e is a WIC Vendor?) ¡ Yes ¡ No Does the store accept CalFresh (food stamps/SNAP/EBT)? ¡ Yes ¡ No

Funded by USDA SNAP, an equal opportunity provider and employer.


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A. Store EntranceStand at the store entrance and take a look at what products and promotions are clearly visible from the entrance, either inside or outside of the store. Also take a look at the general store appearance/ambience and whether the store is “customer-friendly”. Check all that apply.

1. Products placed near the entrance to store (don’t include checkout area or aisle end-caps):

o Produce bins o Food or beverage vending machines:

o sugary drink vending o candy vending o water vending o other vending, describe: _________________

o Pastries/pan dulce/candy/other sweets o Sugary drinks o Alcoholic beverages o Tobacco products o Other food/drink: ________________________

______________________________________ o Other non-food/drink: _________________

______________________________________

2. Signage clearly visible (doors, windows, by registers) indicating SNAP/WIC vendor status:

o "We Accept WIC" signageo "We Accept CalFresh, Food Stamps/EBT" signageo None or none clearly visible

If new signage is needed (signs are missing, not enough, need updating, etc.), make a note here:

o Need CalFresh signs, notes:____________________

o Need WIC signs, notes: ________________________

3. Types of promotion clearly visible on walls, windows, doors to encourage healthy* purchasing/behavior:

o Written signs or boards near the entrance (sales, specials, new item!, etc.)

o Murals with images of fruits, vegetables, healthy eating, or physical activity

o Posters/banners/lawn signs/floor decals, etc. o SNAP/EBT cross-promotion o Healthy retail recognition decal, which recognition

program: _______________________________ o Other: __________________________________ o None

* Healthy promotion includes images of healthy foods (e.g. fruits and vegetables, whole grains, foods with minimal or no added fat or sweeteners) or messages to encourage purchasing healthy foods (e.g. MyPlate, “We sell fresh produce!” etc.)

4. Types of promotion clearly visible on walls, windows, doors to encourage unhealthy* purchasing/behavior:

q Written signs or boards near the entrance (sales, specials, new item!, etc.)

q Posters/banners/lawn signs/floor decal q SNAP/EBT cross-promotion q Other: _________________________________ q None

*Unhealthy promotion includes images/messages to encourage purchasing unhealthy foods/products, like cigarettes/tobacco, alcoholic beverages, sugary drinks, foods with high amounts of sugar, fat and/or sodium.

5. Appearance/Facilities: Are the following in place or available to make this store a more welcoming environment?

o There is landscaping/planter boxes/etc. that is maintained o There are not permanent bars/chains on the windows or doors (do not include sliding or rolling chains or bars) o Trash/recycling receptacles are not overflowing or not visible o No graffiti on walls/windows o Bike racks/storage available for customers to use o Shopping carts/baskets are available o Aisles are wide enough for strollers or wheelchairs o Other: ________________________________

Commented [JK1]: Also see CX3 traning slides for good examples and photos of items in this section

Commented [JK2]: Whether or not store acceptsSNAP/WIC is answered in general info box on front page, so this is strictly about signage present


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B. Checkout1. Does this store have: ¡ …only 1 register ¡ …individual checkout lines ¡ …or 1 line for multiple registers?

2. Is there at least one checkout aisle that is designated as a “Healthy Checkout” or “Family-FriendlyCheckout”? ¡ Yes ¡ No à skip to next questionIf yes, a) …is this checkout aisle always open? ¡ Yes ¡ No

b) …are there large, visible signs to promote this checkout aisle? ¡ Yes ¡ No

Take a look at the products displayed around each checkout counter/aisle, that are within arm’s reach when in line to pay. Include the end of aisle racks/shelves or coolers attached to the register aisle, the aisle itself, the area over the belt, and bins and standing displays within arm’s reach.

3. What items are displayed at each checkout? Mark all the items that appear at each register. Checkout area: #1 #2 #3

Fruits and vegetables, fresh or processed, no added sugar ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No

Nuts, seeds, trail mix, no added sugar/candy ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No Snack bars/mixes, Smart Snack compliant* ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No Meat snacks, Smart Snack compliant* ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No Candy, pastries, cookies, other sweets ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No Regular, full fat chips ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No Other types of snacks, “Smart Snacks” compliant*, specify in column:

__________________ __________________ __________________

__________________ __________________ __________________

__________________ __________________ __________________

Other types of snacks, not Smart Snack compliant*, specify in column:

__________________ __________________ __________________

__________________ __________________ __________________

__________________ __________________ __________________

Other foods, specify in column: __________________ __________________ __________________

__________________ __________________ __________________

__________________ __________________ __________________

Bottled water, sparkling or still (plain or flavored, no added caffeine or caloric/artificial sweeteners) ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No

100% juice, tea, other drinks with no added caloric/artificial sweeteners, no added caffeine ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No

Sugary drinks ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No Diet drinks ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No Other drinks, specify in column: __________________

__________________ __________________

__________________ __________________ __________________

__________________ __________________ __________________

Alcohol/tobacco ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No Gum/mints/throat lozenges ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No Non-food/bev items (not incl. alcohol/tobacco) ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No

* Snacks that satisfy both of these requirements are Smart Snack compliant: 1) “1st ingredient rule”: first ingredient must be whole grain, fruit, vegetable, dairy or protein, and 2) Nutrient standards (“35/10/35/200” rule): total fat is ≤35% kcals, sat fat is ≤10% of kcals, sugar is ≤35% by weight, total kcals ≤ 200, sodium is ≤200 mg. Examples include Baked Lays, Pop Chips, Nature Valley granola bars

4. For each checkout area, look at the space available for healthy, unhealthy, and non-food/bev items.Checkout area: #1 #2 #3

a) Is at least half the space used for either non-food/beverage items or distinctly healthy items? ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No b) Is less than 25% of the space for distinctly unhealthy items? ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No

Distinctly healthy items are: þ Fruits and vegetables, fresh or processed, no added sugar þ Nuts, seeds, trail mix, no added sugar/candyþ Water, tea, 100% juice, and other drinks with no added caloric/artificial

sweeteners, no added caffeine

Distinctly unhealthy items are: ý Candy/pastries/cookies/other sweetsý Regular, full-fat chipsý Sugary drinksý Alcohol/tobacco

Commented [JK3]: If you know that you want to work on healthy checkout strategies, may want to consider a separate, more detailed checkout assessment, like the one from CSPI: https://cspinet.org/resource/checkout-aisle-assessment-instrument

Commented [JK4]: Each column represents a checkout lane. If there’s only 1, just fill out this first column.

Similar layout is used in next 2 sections as well

Commented [JK5]: Can be dried or canned (e.g. dicedpeach or pear snack cups); could also include applesauce and other “squeeze pouches”

Commented [JK6]: If not sure, write product info on back and categorize later If you already know, can write more generally (e.g. baked chips, crackers, pretzels, etc.)

Commented [JK7]: Ones that are obviously healthy or unhealthy – no calculation needed; helps to picture the checkout lane


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C. Aisle End-capsTake a look at how many aisles there are in the store and whether there are any displays of products at the end of the aisle, also called end-caps.

1. How many aisles have an end-cap display (at either end)? ___

2. If there are aisles without end-cap displays, is there room to create at least one?¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ N/A, all aisles have end-caps on both sides

If there are no end-cap displays, skip to next section Starting from the aisle end-cap closest to the entrance, record what is displayed, then move on to the next end-cap, so that you’re moving away from the entrance. After you finish with the last end-cap, walk back to the front of the store, and repeat the process with the end-caps on the other end of the aisles. Some aisles may not have end-caps on both sides, so you may have different numbers of front vs back end-caps.

3. For each end-cap, mark all the items that are displayed:â Start with the one closest to entrance, then continue by moving away from entrance

End-cap: #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7+ Front End-caps (facing entrance or front of store): Non food/beverages ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ NoFruits and vegetables, fresh or processed, no added sugar ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ NoNuts, seeds, trail mix, no added sugar/candy ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ NoCandy, pastries, cookies, other sweets ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ NoRegular, full fat chips ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No

Other foods, specify in column:

Unsweetened water, sparkling or still (no caffeine) ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ NoUnsweetened juice, tea, or other drinks (no added caffeine) ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ NoSugary drinks ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ NoDiet drinks ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ NoOther drinks, specify in column:

Back End-caps: Non food/beverages ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ NoFruits and vegetables, fresh or processed, no added sugar ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ NoNuts, seeds, trail mix, no added sugar/candy ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ NoCandy, pastries, cookies, other sweets ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ NoRegular, full fat chips ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No


Unsweetened water, sparkling or still (no caffeine) ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ NoUnsweetened juice, tea, or other drinks (no added caffeine) ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ NoUnsweetened juice, tea, or other drinks (no added caffeine) ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ NoSugary drinks ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ NoDiet drinks ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ NoOther drinks, specify in column:

Back Front End-caps End-caps

#2 AISLE #3

AISLE #2

#1 AISLE #1

ENTRANCE

Commented [JK8]: To help with intervention planning

Commented [JK9]: From here onward, almost every section will have a skip instruction that appears early in section, in bold red font

Commented [JK10]: If there are more than 7, just assess the remaining end-caps as a group

Not sure what is going to be most likely in small stores – may adjust this form to include fewer columns to free up more space in future versions

If you know already that your store has fewer than 7 end-caps, feel free to delete the extraneous or mark a slash through whatever you don’t need.

Commented [JK11]: Kept the Smart Snack distinctionout of this table and next one (free standing displays) based on field testing and to simplify things – if this will be important to you, make sure to record full brand/flavor info for products so that you are able to categorize the write-ins into compliant or not


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D. Free Standing DisplaysWalk around and look for free standing display units that are not part of an aisle end-cap or a check-out lane.

1. a) How many free standing display units are there? ___ b) How many are stocked with products? ___If there are no free standing displays with products stocked, skip to next section2. Mark all the items that are displayed in each free standing display unit.

â Start with the one closest to entrance, then continue by moving away from entrance Display Unit: #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7+

Non food/beverages ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ NoFruits and vegetables, fresh or processed, no added sugar ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ NoNuts, seeds, trail mix, no added sugar/candy ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ NoCandy, pastries, cookies, other sweets ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ NoRegular, full fat chips ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No


Unsweetened water, sparkling or still (no caffeine) ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ NoUnsweetened juice, tea, or other drinks (no added caffeine) ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ NoSugary drinks ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ NoDiet drinks ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ No ¡ Yes ¡ NoOther drinks, specify in column:

E. Access to Free Water and Drinks Sold in To-Go Cups1. Is there clean, free and easily accessible water? Check all that apply:¨ None ¨ Water fountain ¨ Refillable water station ¨ Pitchers or dispensers ¨ Fountain drink machine ¨ Other:________________________

2. a) Are there any fountain drinks or other drinks (e.g. aguas frescas, lemonade, iced tea) sold in to-go cups?¡ Yes ¡ No à skip to next section

b) If yes, drink options include:o Water, sparkling or still (plain or flavored, no added caffeine or

caloric/artificial sweeteners)o Unsweetened juice, tea, coffee, other beverages (no added

caffeine or caloric/artificial sweeteners)

o Sugary drinks (e.g., soda, lemonade, sweetened tea)o Diet drinkso Other drinks, specify:

__________________________________________

3. Check all the following practices that apply:o Cups are no larger than 16 ozo Free refills are not allowedo All or most unsweetened options are promoted with a label/signo All or most sugary options are not promoted with a label/sign

o All or most unsweetened options are the same price or lessexpensive than sugary options

o There are no “to-go” unsweetened beverage optionso There are no “to-go” sugary

Commented [JK12]: I would sometimes see emptydisplay units, so decided to add this additional question to distinguish futher and maybe identify potential area for healthy retail work. Feel free to add other questions, if this is an area you’re interested in

Commented [JK13]: This table is exactly the same as endcap table. So much so, that if you are looking at a previous version of this SLAQ, you’ll see that I forgot to change the column labels!

Commented [JK14]: Not sure what the bestphrase/descriptor is for this! Anyone have ideas?

Also, would you prefer this to be on a separate page?


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F. Ready-to-eat and Made-to-order mealsReady to eat meals include pre-made or made-to-order sandwiches, wraps, and other meals or entrees that are ready for consumption, once purchased, with no additional or very minimal preparation (e.g., optional microwaving). These may include deli counters and other refrigerated displays, a hot sandwich counter, but do not include frozen meals.

1. Are any ready-to-eat meals sold on site? ¡ Yes ¡ No à skip to next section2. Are any of the following healthy default beverages offered with meals?

o NA, beverages are not offered with the meal à skip to next question o Choice of a fountain beverage is included with meal à skip to next question o Water, sparkling or still (plain or flavored, no added caffeine or caloric/artificial sweeteners)o Unsweetened juice, tea, coffee (no added caffeine or caloric/artificial sweeteners) o Diet drinks o Milk, if checked, which types? à ¨ low-/non-fat unflavored milk ¨ whole milk ¨ flavored milk o Other healthy beverage: ___________________________________ o No healthy beverage offered with meal

3. Are any of the following healthy sides offered with meals? o NA, no sides are offered with the meal o Fresh fruit or vegetableso Dried fruit, vegetable, nuts, seeds, trail mix without added sugar/candy o Other sides compliant with “Smart Snack* rule o No healthy sides available

* Snacks that satisfy both of these requirements are Smart Snack compliant: 1) “1st ingredient rule”: first ingredient must be whole grain, fruit, vegetable, dairy or protein, and 2) Nutrient standards (“35/10/35/200” rule): total fat is ≤35% kcals, sat fat is ≤10% of kcals, sugar is ≤35% by weight, total kcals ≤ 200, sodium is ≤200 mg, Examples include Baked Lays, Pop Chips, Nature Valley granola bars

4. Are any of the ready-to-eat meals labeled as being a healthier* options? ¡ Yes ¡ No

5. What other kinds of signage/promotion are placed near the ready-to-eat meals?o There are no signs or labels placed by the ready-to-eat meals o Nutrition information is posted/easily visibleo Signs/labels to encourage healthy eating or healthy selection o Signs/labels that encourage unhealthy eating or overeating (super size!, images of unhealthy foods, etc.) o Pricing that encourages healthier* meal options or healthier eating o Pricing that encourages less healthy meal options or unhealthy eating

* healthier ready-to-eat meal options include things like using whole grains, lean meat, plant-based protein, and preparations with less sugar and fat thanthe other available meal options

G. Overall Retail IdentityAfter you have familiarized yourself with the whole store, and know what kinds of products are available and where they are displayed, try your best to estimate the amount of retail space allotted for the following:

1. What proportion of the retail space is used to display alcohol? ¨ no alcohol is sold ¡ <25% ¡ 25-50% ¡ 51-75% ¡ >75%

2. What proportion of the retail space is used to display fresh fruits and vegetables? ¨ no fresh F/V sold ¡ <25% ¡ 25-50% ¡ 51-75% ¡ >75%

3. Is at least 30 percent of retail space allotted for perishable goods that include dairy, fresh produce, fresh meats,poultry, fish and frozen foods? ¡ Yes ¡ No

4. is the word “liquor” in name of store? ¡ Yes ¡ No

Commented [JK15]: A better suggestion for section heading?

This is an area that could be supplemented with a restaurant or grab n' go specific assessment tool. Check out options on NEMS page: https://www.med.upenn.edu/nems/measures.shtml

Commented [JK16]: Similarly, do not include Top Ramen, cereal, or other “instant” food that requires adding water, milk, heating/cooking time.

Commented [JK17]: Similar to a question in the checkout section Will be testing these questions out to make sure that different data collectors would answer questions the same way for the same store


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Now let’s take a closer look at specific categories of foods and beverages – what are the healthy options available, how are these items displayed within their section of the store, how are they priced, and what types of visual promotion are used where they are displayed?

H. Fresh Fruits and Vegetableso No fresh fruits or vegetables sold, skip to next section

1. Variety and Qualitya) Fresh fruit: ¡ Yes ¡ No à skip to b)

i. How many types*? ¡ 1-3 types ¡ 4-6 types ¡ 7-9 types ¡ 10 or more types *Count types (i.e., “apple”) and not individual variations of each fruit (e.g.., Granny Smith and Red Delicious)

ii. Are cut and washed, ready-to-eat fresh fruit available? ¡ Yes ¡ No (e.g., grab n’ go fruit cup, apple slices, etc.)

iii. Overall quality*?

m All/mostare poor

m More poor than good

m Equal proportion of poor and good

m More good than poor

m All/mostare good

*Poor quality: bruised, overripe; Good quality: fresh, not overripe, few blemishes

b) Fresh vegetables: ¡ Yes ¡ No à skip to c)i. How many types*? ¡ 1-3 types ¡ 4-6 types ¡ 7-9 types ¡ 10 or more types *Count types (i.e., “carrots”) and not individual variations of each fruit (e.g.., orange and purple carrots)

ii. Are cut and washed, ready-to-eat fresh vegetables available? ¡ Yes ¡ No (e.g. prepared vegetable-based salads, carrot/celery sticks, etc.)

iii. Overall quality*?

m All/mostare poor

m More poor than good

m Equal proportion of poor and good

m More good than poor

m All/mostare good

*Poor quality: bruised, overripe; Good quality: fresh, not overripe, few blemishes

2. Display: How are all or most fresh fruits and vegetables displayed?

o Displayed in baskets, bins, or other shelving unit o Not displayed in cardboard packing boxes o Not placed on the floor o Displayed in clean, well-lit refrigerated cases (for

items requiring refrigeration) o Prices are clearly marked o Other: _____________________________

3. Point-of-decision signage: What kinds of marketingstrategies do you observe where fresh fruits and vegetables are displayed? o Sale pricing/specials o Signs to indicate appeal (fresh, local, etc.) or scarcity

(limited time only!)o Signs/materials to promote healthy foods or healthy

eating (e.g. shelf talkers, recipe cards, floor decals) o Other: _____________________________

4. Price of select items: Find the price of the fresh fruits and vegetables listed below. If more than 1 option is available, choose the least expensive version and note the unit/size information. Record in pounds, when available. Example: Lowest cost apples are Fuji apples for $1.89 per pound and lowest cost bananas are 3 for $1. Enter these like this: Apples, Fuji; $1.89 per #_1_ l pound m piece m other ; Bananas; $1.00 per #_3_ m pound l piece m other

Apples, lowest-cost variety: __________ e.g. Gala

m NA, no apples available

Regular price: $ ____ . ___ per # _____ m pound m piece m other:________ m price not posted, had to ask employee

Sale price: $___ . ___ per # ___ mpound mpiece mother:__________ m NA, not on sale Bananas m NA, no bananas available


Sale price: $___ . ___ per # ___ mpound mpiece mother:__________ m NA, not on sale Carrots m NA, no carrots available


Sale price: $___ . ___ per # ___ mpound mpiece mother:__________ m NA, not on sale

Commented [JK18]: Very similar to CX3, but with one added category for # of types available

Commented [JK19]: Since fresh FV are all healthy, this category doesn’t ask about unhealthy marketing, but if you notice any, please write it in/take a photo

Example: Dessert items placed with strawberries

Commented [JK20]: An example of this would be recipe bundling or meal kits, which I’m starting to hear more about

Commented [JK21]: Similar to CX3 and NEMS

Commented [JK22]: Often the case in small stores; another way of looking at question above of whether prices are displayed

Commented [JK23]: If on sale during observation, also record regular price


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I. Staple Foods1. Availability: Staple foods are the basic foods that make up a significant portion of a person’s diet and are usuallyprepared at home and eaten as a meal. Staple foods do not include prepared foods, heated foods, or accessory foods (i.e., snacks, desserts, and foods that complement or supplement meals).

Are these staple foods available? Please check all that you observe, and indicate whether healthier versions (denoted with an *) are available when prompted.

o *Fresh meat, poultry, or fish o Processed/pre-cooked meat (lunchmeats, canned or ready-to-eat (e.g. roast chicken) meat) o Eggs o Cheese o Whole or 2% milk (cow’s milk, lactose- or dairy-free) if checked à Is *plain, unflavored milk offered? ¡ Yes ¡ No o Non-fat or 1% milk (cow’s milk, lactose- or dairy-free) f checked à Is *plain, unflavored milk offered? ¡ Yes ¡ No o Yogurt (cow’s milk or dairy-free) if checked à Is *plain, unflavored yogurt offered? ¡ Yes ¡ No o Bread/grain products (e.g., bread, tortillas, pasta, rice) if checked à Are *whole grain varieties offered? ¡ Yes ¡ No o Hot cereal (e.g. oats) if checked à Are *whole grain varieties that are unsweetened offered? ¡ Yes ¡ No o Cold cereal if checked à Are *varieties with whole grain as 1st ingredient AND <6g of sugar/svg offered? ¡ Yes ¡ No o Dried or canned beans/peas/lentils if checked à Are *low-sodium options with no added fat offered? ¡ Yes ¡ No o Nut butters if checked à Are options with *no added sugar offered? ¡ Yes ¡ No o Canned or cooked fruit (e.g. appleasauce) if checked à Are there options with *no added sugar? ¡ Yes ¡ No o Canned/jarred vegetable (don’t include pickles or olives) if checked à Are there options with *no added sugar/fat? ¡Yes ¡No o Frozen fruit if checked à Are *no added sugar options available? ¡ Yes ¡ No o Frozen vegetables if checked à, Are *no added sugar/fat options available? ¡ Yes ¡ No

o None, skip to next section

2. Placement and display of staple foods:o There is a fresh meat counter o All or most prices are clearly marked o All or most refrigerators are clean and well-lit

o NA, there are no refrigerated stapleso All or most freezer cases are clean and well-lit, with

visible contents ¨ NA, there are no frozen staples o All or most healthier options* are displayed at eye-level

o NA, no healthy versions of staple foods availableo All or most healthier options* are in stock

o NA, no healthy versions of staple foods availableo Other: _______________________________

3. Point-of-decision signage: What kinds of marketing strategies do you observe where staple foods are displayed?

o Sale pricing/specials on healthier options* o NA, no healthy versions of staple foods available

o Signs to indicate appeal (fresh, local, etc.) or scarcity (limited time only!) of healthier options* o NA, no healthy versions of staple foods available

o Signs/materials to promote healthy foods or healthy eating (e.g. shelf talkers, recipe cards, floor decals)

o Other: ___________________________

4. Price of bread: o Bread is not sold in this store, skip to next section

Whole grain bread, Nature’s Own 100% whole wheat m Variety not available, Sara Lee Classic, 100% whole wheat m Neither available, alternate:________________ m NA, no whole grain bread available

Regular price: $ ____ . ___ per loaf, size: _____ oz m price not posted, had to ask employee

Sale price: $ ____ . ___ per loaf, size: _____ oz m NA, not on sale

White bread, Nature’s Own butter breadm Variety not available, Sara Lee Classic White m Neither available, alternate:________________ m NA, no white bread available

Regular price: $ ____ . ___ per loaf, size: _____ oz m price not posted, had to ask employee

Sale price: $ ____ . ___ per loaf, size: _____ oz m NA, not on sale

Commented [JK24]: Can be from any part of store, including endcaps and free standing displays

Commented [JK25]: Could be from deli/prepared-foods counter, if applicable

Commented [JK26]: If these are single-serving containers, can include here or later in Section K

Commented [JK27]: Unless it specifies healthy options, can assume the practice described applies to all staple foods

True for other sections as well

Commented [JK28]: No NA option here since thesetypes of signage are not dependent on product availability

Commented [JK29]: Adapted from the NEMS protocol

Commented [JK30]: Other than in the fresh FV section, we specify a “reference” product to record price for, including a specific alternate item. If neither 1st or 2nd choice is available, can record an alternate item for the category


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J. Snack Foods1. Availability of healthy snacks: Are any of the following healthy snacks available? These are snacks that meet the federal “Smart Snacks” legislation for K-12 schools. Please check all that you observe.o No healthy snacks are available, skip to #2

o Dried/freeze dried fruit without added sugaro Dried/freeze dried vegetables without added sugaro Nuts, seeds, trail mix, without added sugar/candyo Other snacks that satisfy the USDA K-12 Smart Snacks regulations* :_______________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

* Snacks that satisfy both of these requirements are Smart Snack compliant: 1) “1st ingredient rule”: first ingredient must be whole grain, fruit, vegetable, dairy or protein, and 2) Nutrient standards (“35/10/35/200” rule): total fat is ≤35% kcals, sat fat is ≤10% of kcals, sugar is ≤35% by weight, total kcals ≤ 200, sodium is ≤200 mg, Examples include Baked Lays, Pop Chips, Nature Valley crunchy oats n’ honey and chewy fruit and nut granola bars, Clif Kid Z bars

2. Placement and Display of Snacks: Look at where and how snacks are displayed throughout the store, including those placed at checkout, end-caps, and free-standing displays. Check all that apply: o All or most healthy snacks are displayed in separate

baskets/bins ¨ No healthy snacks available o All or rmost healthy snacks are in stock

¨ No healthy snacks available o All or most snack prices are clearly marked o All or most snack refrigerators are clean and well-lit

o NA, there are no refrigerated snackso All or most freezer cases are clean and well-lit, with

visible contents ¨ NA, there are no frozen snacks All or most of the snacks placed at eye-level are: m healthy m *unhealthy m neither m NA, no snacks at eye-level o Other: _______________________________

3. Point-of-decision signage: What kinds of marketingstrategies do you observe where snacks are displayed? Please mark all that apply. (Look at both healthy and unhealthy)a) Sale pricing/specials on: ¨ NA, no sales on snacks

o healthy snacks ¨ unhealthy* snacks b) Signs to indicate appeal (fresh, local, etc.) or scarcity

(limited time only!) of: ¨ NA, no promotional signs of this typeo healthy snacks ¨ unhealthy* snacks

c) Signs/materials (e.g. shelf talkers, recipe cards) to promote:o NA, no promotional signs of this type o healthy foods or healthy eating o less healthy/uhealthy foods/behaviors (can’t eat just one!)

d) Other: ___________________________ * Less healthy or unhealthy snacks are candy, cookies, chips, bakedgoods, and other snacks that are not fat and/or sugar-modified

4. Price of selected snacks: Find the price of the following healthy and unhealthy snacks listed below. If the option(s) listed are not available, look for an alternative snack in the same category, choosing the brand with the most shelf space.

Regular chips, Lay’s Potato Chips - Classic m Variety not available, alternate brand/flavor: _____________

e.g. Cheetos, flamin hotm NA, no regular chips available

Regular price: $ ___ . ___ of smallest single package: _____ oz m price not posted, had to ask employee

Sale price: $ ____ . ___ of smallest single package: _____ oz m NA, not on sale

Smart Snack compliant chips, Lay’s potato chips, baked m Variety not available, alternate Smart Snack compliant chips, brand/flavor: _______________________________________

e.g. Cheetos, oven-baked flamin hot chips; Pop Chips – BBQm NA, no Smart Snack compliant chips available

Regular price: $ ___ . ___ of smallest single package: _____ oz m price not posted, had to ask employee

Sale price: $ ____ . ___ of smallest single package: _____ oz m NA, not on sale

Chocolate candy bar, Snickers, 1.86 ozm Snickers not available, Peanut M&Ms, 1.74 oz m Neither available, alternate (brand/flavor): ________________ Size: ______ m NA, no chocolate candy available

Regular price: $ ____ . ___ per ___ package m price not posted, had to ask employee

Sale price: $ ____ . ___ per ___ package m NA, not on sale

Smart snack compliant bar, Nature Valley oats n’ honey granola bar, 1.49 oz m Variety not available, alternate Smart Snack compliant bar, brand/flavor:______________________________________ Size: _______

e.g. Kashi chewy bar chewy honey almondm NA, no Smart Snack compliant bars available



Nuts snack-size, Planters lightly salted peanuts, 2 oz m Variety not available, alternate: _______________________ Size: _____

e.g. salted almonds 2 oz m No snack size nuts available




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K. Single-serving beverages1. Availability of healthy beverages:Healthy beverages do not have added sugar or added caffeine. Please check all the following healthy beverages that are available anywhere in the store, but don’t include beverages sold in to-go cups, like a coffee bar and fountain drink stations.

o No healthy beverages, skip to #2 o 100% juice o 100% juice, diluted with water, sparkling or still o Plain, unflavored water, sparkling or still o Flavored water, no added sweetener, sparkling or still o Unsweetened tea or coffeeo Single serving, plain, low-fat/non-fat milk o Other: ____________________

What kinds of marketing strategies do you observe where beverages are displayed? Look at both healthy beverages and sugary drinks. Look at where and how beverages are displayed, and what kinds of signage are displayed next to the beverages throughout the store, including those placed at checkout, end-caps, and free-standing displays. Don’t include beverages sold in to-go cups, like coffee bars and fountain drink stations. Only include milk if it is a single-serving package and wasn’t included when you looked at marketing for staple foods earlier.

2. Placement and Display:Check all that apply: o All or most refrigerators are clean and well-lit

o NA, no refrigerated beverageso All or most healthy beverages are in stock

¨ No healthy beverages available o All or most prices are clearly marked All or most beverages placed at eye-level are: m healthy m *sugary m neither m NA, no drinks at eye-levelo Other: ____________________

* For the purposes of this assessment, sugary drinks can includesoda, energy drinks, sports drinks, fruit-flavored drinks, pre-sweetened tea or coffee. Don’t include diet beverages.

3. Point-of-decision marketing: Check all that are observed: a) Sale pricing/specials on: ¨ NA, no drinks are on sale

o Healthy drinks ¨ *sugary drinks

b) Signs to indicate appeal (fresh, local, etc.) or scarcity (limited time only!) of: ¨ NA, no promotional signs of this type

o Healthy drinks ¨ *Sugary drinks

c) Signs/materials (e.g. shelf talkers, recipe cards) to promote: o NA, no promotional signs of this typeo Healthy drinks or healthy behaviors o *Sugary drinks or unhealthy behaviors

d) Other: ___________________________

4. Price of selected beverages: Find the price of the following beverages listed below. If the option(s) listed are not available, look for an alternative beverage in the same category, choosing the brand with the most shelf space.

Regular 12 oz soda, Coke (regular, non-diet) m Coke not available, Pepsi, 12 oz (regular, non-diet) m Neither available, alternate brand: __________________ m NA, no regular 12 oz soda available e.g. Sprite

Regular price: $ ____ . ___ per # _____ 12 oz container m price not posted, had to ask employee

Sale price: $ ____ . ___ per # _____ 12 oz container m NA, not on sale

Regular 20 oz soda, Coke (regular, non-diet) m Coke not available, Pepsi, 20 oz (regular, non-diet) m Neither available, alternate brand: __________________m NA, no regular 2 oz soda available e.g. Sprite

Regular price: $ ____ . ___ per # _____ 20 oz container m price not posted, had to ask employee

Sale price: $ ____ . ___ per # _____ 20 oz container m NA, not on sale

Bottled water, 16.9 oz (plain, unflavored, uncarbonated) m Size not available, cheapest alternative: _____________ m NA, no plain bottled water available e.g. 1 liter

Regular price: $ ____ . ___ per # _____ bottles/containers m price not posted, had to ask employee

Sale price: $ ____ . ___ per # _____ bottles/containers m NA, not on sale

Single serve, plain low-fat milk, smallest size: ________ oz m Variety not available, single serve plain non-fat milk, smallest size: ______ oz mPlain, low/non-fat, single-serve milk is not available

Regular price: $ ____ . ___ per # ___ containers m price not posted, had to ask employee

Sale price: $ ____ . ___ per # ___ containers m NA, not on sale

Single serve, flavored low-fat milk, smallest size: _______ oz m Variety N/A, alternate single serve flavored milk, smallest size: ________ oz

Type of milk? m whole milk m reduced fat m non-fatmFlavored, single-serve milk is not available

Regular price: $ ____ . ___ per # ___ containers m price not posted, had to ask employee

Sale price: $ ____ . ___ per # ___ containers m NA, not on sale


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L Interview Questions Many of the following items are not observable. Please ask the store manager or owner the following questions. If you are able to observe that a practice is in place, you do not need to ask. You may need to come back on another day or arrange another time to finish asking these questions.

1. Has this store participated in any healthy retail initiatives previously? ¡ Yes ¡ NoIf yes, which ones? When? _______________________

2. Does the store promote purchasing of healthy foods and beverages through on-going…o store tours, if checked à was this observed today? ¡ Yes ¡ No o taste tests, if checked à was this observed today? ¡ Yes ¡ No o food/recipe/other live demos, if checked à was this observed today? ¡ Yes ¡ No o participation in health/wellness fair, if checked à was this observed today? ¡ Yes ¡ No o audio-only announcements through a PA system, if checked à was this observed today? ¡ Yes ¡ No o audio/visual displays, if checked à was this observed today? ¡ Yes ¡ No o other types of promotion (not signs or posters), describe: _________

if checked à was this observed today? ¡ Yes ¡ No

3. What kinds of pricing strategies are currently in place?o Cash-back bonus/incentive when using SNAP to purchase fruits and vegetables (e.g. Fresh Creds, Fresh Bucks,

FINI funded initiatives) o Regular sales, discounts, coupons, deals, or other price reductions for:

(Check all that apply)o Healthy snacks o Healthy beverages (Water, tea, 100% juice, and other drinks with no added caloric/artificial sweeteners or caffeine)o Fruits and vegetables o Healthy version of staple foods o Candy, cookies, pastries, other sweets/desserts o Chips o Sugary drinks o Alcohol

o Less healthy foods/beverages are intentionally priced higher or healthy foods/beverages are intentionally priced lower in order to encourage healthy selections If yes, which food/beverages is this done for? ________________

4. Do students from nearby schools or youth programs regularly come in to buy foods/beverages? ¡Yes ¡No5. Is there is a lactation space for customers to use that is not a restroom? ¡ Yes ¡ No

6. I’d like to ask you about ways you build relationships with your customers and the community:a) Are there any community bulletin boards or space to post community events/gatherings? ¡ Yes ¡ No b) Do you allow customers to pay for items later (i.e., an informal credit system, customer “tab”, etc.) ¡ Yes ¡ No c) Do you or other cashiers/store staff know customers by name? ¡ Yes ¡ No d) Do you or other staff recommend products to customers, or encourage them to try certain products (not as part of

taste tests or other marketing activity): ¡ Yes ¡ No e) Do you or other store staff ask customers for recommendations or let them make suggestions on what products to

carry in the store? ¡ Yes ¡ No f) Are there other ways that this store engages with customers or the community? Examples:

o store-sponsored community events or fundraisers o a photo wall or other photos of customer o other: _______________________________

Commented [JK31]: Feel free to ask additionalquestions about when or which community org, if that’s helpful for your intervention planning

Commented [JK32]: If you have observed it on the same day or recently (within the same FFY), no need to ask


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7. Do store staff receive training about…a) …Merchandising of heatlhy options? ¡ Yes ¡ No

If yes, check all that apply: ¨ Display ¨ Placement ¨ Signage ¨ Sale pricing b) …Stocking healthy items ¡ Yes ¡ No c) …Food handling and safety ¡ Yes ¡ No d) …Customer relations ¡ Yes ¡ No

8. Do you have any contracts or agreements with vendor or suppliers that determine how and where productsare displayed, where they are placed in the store, and/or what advertising is posted? Please describe:Probe for the following: Do suppliers pay for product placement? Who decides on the placement?

Who provides advertising materials? Do they pay to place those in certain parts of the store? Does the delivery person put up ads/signs?

Who provides display units and equipment? Are they provided free with conditions about where they are placed and how they are stocked?

Other:

9. We have a few questions about what happens to the excess food you are unable to sell:a) What do you usually do with extra food or beverages that you are unable to sell?

o throw it in the trash o compost it o donate it to a charitable agency or community-based organization o give it to customers that I know struggle to have enough food o leave it on the street for someone to eato other: ______________________________________________________________________

b) What types of food do you find are most likely to go to waste? o fresh fruits o fresh vegetables o meats o dairy (milk, cheese) o breads, cereals, tortillas

o frozen desserts o chips o candy o prepared foods o other: __________________

c) If you had to guess, about how much money do you think you lose in food that goes to waste?

$____________ each day/ week/ month (choose and circle one)

M. Notes/Comments:

food retail site-level assessment questionnaire: small ... · the questionnaire is comprised mostly...

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