The present study assessed the impact of the 2009 food packages mandated by the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) on perceived sales, product selection and stocking habits of small, WIC-authorized food stores.

A cross-sectional study involving in-depth interviews with store managers/owners.

Small, WIC-authorized food stores in eight major cities in the USA.

Fifty-two store managers/owners who had at least 1 year of experience in the store prior to study participation.

The WIC-approved food products (fresh, canned and frozen fruits; fresh, canned and frozen vegetables; wholegrain/whole-wheat bread; white corn/whole-wheat tortillas; brown rice; lower-fat milk (<2 %)) were acquired in multiple ways, although acquisition generally occurred 1–2 times/week. Factors such as customer requests (87 %), refrigerator/freezer availability (65 %) and profitability (71 %) were rated as very important when making stocking decisions. Most managers/owners perceived increases in sales of new WIC-approved foods including those considered most profitable (wholegrain/whole-wheat bread (89 %), lower-fat milk (89 %), white corn/whole wheat tortillas (54 %)), but perceived no changes in sales of processed fruits and vegetables. Supply mechanisms and frequency of supply acquisition were only moderately associated with perceived sales increases.

Regardless of type or frequency of supply acquisition, perceived increases in sales provided some evidence for the potential sustainability of these WIC policy efforts and translation of this policy-based strategy to other health promotion efforts aimed at improving healthy food access in underserved communities.

To examine the prevalence of food insecurity and to identify factors that contribute to it in the Republic of Korea.

A cross-sectional study.

Data were selected from a secondary data set, the third Korean Welfare Panel Study. Household food insecurity was measured with a six-item Korean version of the US Household Food Security Survey Module. The differences in proportions or means of household characteristics, householder's characteristics, economic status and social benefits by food insecurity status were tested with the χ2 or t test. The independent associations of food insecurity with each characteristic were assessed with multivariate logistic regression analysis.

The sample size consisted of 6238 households.

The prevalence of food insecurity was 5·3 % among all households and 25·7 % among low-income households. Risk factors that were associated with a higher risk of food insecurity included living alone, unemployment, no job, low household income and living in a leased or rented home. For low-income households, living in a leased or rented home increased the risk of food insecurity. Among food-insecure households, 26·1 % of the full sample of households and 34·3 % of low-income households were participating in food assistance programmes.

Food insecurity among the Korean population was related to household type, income, job status and housing. Food assistance programmes were not enough to completely alleviate food insecurity.

The present study aimed to understand the relationship between need and help-seeking behaviour in older adults by examining the patterns of food insecurity and participation in food assistance programmes (FAP), i.e. the Food Stamp Program and home-delivered meals.

Data from two longitudinal studies were used. The studies were designed to obtain nationally representative information on health, insurance coverage, financial status, family support systems, labour market status and retirement planning, every two years: the Health and Retirement Study (HRS, 1996–2002) and Asset and Health Dynamics Among the Oldest Old (AHEAD, 1995–2002).

USA.

There were 7623 participants for HRS and 3378 for AHEAD.

The older adults appeared to have persistent patterns between food insecurity and participation in FAP, especially in the Food Stamp Program. More persistently food-insecure older adults had higher participation in FAP (P < 0·001). Food-insecure older adults at one time were more likely to shift from non-participation to participation in FAP the next time than food-secure older adults (P < 0·001). Regardless of previous food insecurity status, previous participants in FAP were more likely to participate subsequently.

The relationship between need and help-seeking behaviour in older adults was found to follow a persistent positive pattern, determined by looking at the patterns of food insecurity and participation in FAP. Although food insecurity as a need is a good predictor of participation in FAP, it is not enough to fully predict participation in FAP. Help-seeking behaviour (i.e. previous programme participation) is also important in predicting participation in FAP.