The FSAS publishes study to access healthy food

The study, entitled Accessing healthy food, is a national assessment and sentimel mapping study of food retailing in Scotland. It was commissioned by the Agency and undertaken between 2005-2007 by the Centre for the Study of Retailing in Scotland at The University of Edinburgh. It emphasises the importance of finding ways to assist small general food shops to provide affordable, healthy foods and will help inform policy development in Scotland A map of food shops and supermarkets in Scotland were constructed using Geographic Information System techniques. Nine sample areas across Scotland were selected on the basis of urban-rural location and deprived conditions. And a Healthy Eating Indicator Shooping Basket was designed to investigate the availability and cost of healthy foods in nine areas. The basket was made up of 35 items drawn from the five major food groups including fresh fruit and vegetables, potatoes, baked beans, wholemeal breads, meat and fish. The results suggested that the food shops selling a range of healthy food were not a major issue. The size of the food shop was more important than geographical location in influencing the availability and price of the healthy foods from the 'basket'. The FSAS is currently working with the Scottish Government Neighbourhood Shops project to develop these strategies to help small businesses provide good healthy foods. Weblink: www.food.gov.uk