Beyond the Salad: Evaluating the Availability and Healthfulness of Foods Containing Fruits and Vegetables at Convenience Stores

Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the availability and healthfulness of fruits and vegetables offered at convenience stores in areas of higher and lower levels of food access and household income. Methods: A list of products that could count towards servings of fruits or vegetables according to the 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) was compiled at six convenience store locations, three of which were in low-income (LI) and low-food-access areas (LA). Foods were manually matched with an equivalent item in the Food Patterns Equivalents Database to estimate their fruit or vegetable cup-equivalents. The nutrient density of each product was also determined using criteria from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Healthy Eating Research (HER) Guidelines. Data collection took place during the summer of 2024 in the Grand Forks, North Dakota, and East Grand Forks, Minnesota Metropolitan Area. Results: A total of n = 46 products contained at least a one cup-equivalent of fruits and vegetables, and only one product was categorized as one to “choose often” according to HER guidelines. Ten products were found at LILA locations only, 17 were found at non-LILA locations only, and 19 were found at both. Overall, there were no consistent and significant differences in the availability or healthfulness of fruit and vegetable options at convenience stores in LILA compared to non-LILA areas. Conclusions: Convenience stores in a small city had few options providing a serving of fruits and vegetables as outlined in DGA recommendations. Shelf-stable fruit and vegetable products may be easier for convenience stores to offer than fresh produce and still contribute to nutrient needs and healthy dietary patterns.