INCREASING FOOD ACCESS IN HISTORICALLY REDLINED NEIGHBORHOODS IN DURHAM COUNTY, NC THROUGH MOBILE MARKETS WITH NUTRITION EDUCATION

Neighborhood and Built Environment, one of the five social determinants of health, encompasses the living, working, and recreational space which influence health outcomes (US EPA, 2017). Food access is one top issue currently facing the residents of Durham County (Hicks & Mortiboy, 2021). Access is determined by availability (number of food sources), accessibility (transportation to a food source), and affordability (cost of food) (USDHHS, 2022). In several neighborhoods within Durham city limits, less than 1% of residents have access to a nearby grocery store (Data Works NC, 2023). Our proposal aims to alleviate food access concerns by providing direct access to fresh fruits and vegetables within select communities via a mobile market. By modifying the built environment of Durham County, this program will increase consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables and improve long term health outcomes.Master of Public Healt