The CHANGE Study

Community Health, Access to Nutrition and Grocery Experience

In collaboration with Penn Medicine & Penn Center for Nutritional Science and Medicine.

Study Summary

The CHANGE study’s goal is to learn more about the health and food habits of individuals living near the future site of The Community Grocer.

Eligible?

You may be able to join this study if you:

  • Are 18 years of age or older

  • Live west of 55th Street, south of Market Street, north of Baltimore Ave, and east of 63rd Street

  • Speak and read English

How to Join?

Eligible participants will be compensated $40 after completing the first part and an additional $10 after the second part of the survey.

About the Study

Brief Summary

The Community Grocer (TCG) is a nonprofit grocery and market opening in 2025 in West Philadelphia. Our goal is to assess the dietary quality and health in the community surrounding TCG prior to opening.

This data will be used to characterize the needs of the community. The data will also be used to inform programming, which will be offered free of charge at TCG. Last, this data may be used to inform future research efforts to assess the impact of TCG on the community.

Background

What is food security? Food security is defined as “access by all people at all times to enough food for an active,
healthy life.”

Problem #1

Food insecurity is a major public health issue.

In Philadelphia, it is estimated that over 200,000 individuals are food insecure and the rate is higher than the national average
at 13.6%.

Problem #2

Food insecurity contributes to poor dietary quality and negative health outcomes.

Food insecurity can lead to food substitution, where healthier foods are replaced with lower-cost, more energy-dense foods  (high in sugar and fat). 

It can also have many negative health outcomes in the general population, like hypertension, diabetes, depression, anxiety, and obesity, particularly in women.

Problem #3

Food assistance programs decrease food insecurity and nutritional status, but major barriers remain.

Recent data demonstrate that major barriers faced by households utilizing SNAP benefits include: “lack of knowledge about healthy eating, lack of cooking skills, lack of kitchen equipment and facilities, lack of time for cooking, and lack of time to acquire foods for a healthy diet.”

Study Objectives

Objective #1

Assess the dietary quality of adults living in the neighborhood surrounding The Community Grocer.

Objective #2

Food insecurity contributes to poor dietary quality
and negative health outcomes.