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Leone LA, Kasprzak C, Lally A, Haynes-Maslow L, Vermont LN, Horrigan-Maurer C, Tumiel-Berhalter L, Ammerman A, Raja S. A Novel Process to Recruit and Select Community Partners for a Hybrid Implementation-Effectiveness Study. Prog Community Health Partnersh 2023; 17:159-171. [PMID: 37462585 PMCID: PMC10569409 DOI: 10.1353/cpr.2023.0021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Creating strong partnerships with community organizations is essential to test implementation of evidence-based interventions. However, partners are often chosen based on convenience rather than capacity or diversity. Streamlined processes are needed to identify qualified, diverse, and invested partners to conduct community-based research. OBJECTIVES There is a gap in the literature on effective and efficient processes for recruiting partners. This paper aims to fill that gap by describing a novel approach for identifying a diverse group of community organizations to participate in research. METHODS We used a Request for Partners (RFP) approach to recruit partners to participate in a hybrid implementation-effectiveness study of the Veggie Van mobile market model. The process included formative work to inform RFP development, creation of an external advisory committee, an intent-to-apply round, a full application round, and an inperson training and selection process. Data was collected to characterize applicant size, location, and experience; pre-post surveys were conducted to understand the training's utility. RESULTS We received 59 intent-to-apply submissions and invited 28 organizations to apply: 17 submitted applications and 12 organizations were chosen as finalists. The process took approximately 8 months to recruit 9 organizations and 32 community sites across 5 states and increased understanding of the intervention and partner responsibilities. CONCLUSIONS An RFP process is familiar to many community organizations that compete for grant funding but may not have prior research experience. This process streamlined recruitment timelines, increased diversity, and cultivated community among organizations. It may also improve research transparency, study completion, and intervention fidelity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia A. Leone
- Department of Community Health and Health Behavior, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo
| | - Christina Kasprzak
- Department of Community Health and Health Behavior, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo
| | - Anne Lally
- Department of Community Health and Health Behavior, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo
| | | | - Leah N. Vermont
- Department of Community Health and Health Behavior, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo
| | - Caroline Horrigan-Maurer
- Department of Family Medicine, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo
| | - Laurene Tumiel-Berhalter
- Department of Community Health and Health Behavior, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo
| | - Alice Ammerman
- Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
| | - Samina Raja
- Department of Urban and Regional Planning, School of Architecture and Planning, University at Buffalo
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Lally AE, Morina A, Vermont LN, Tirabassi JN, Leone LA. Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mobile Produce Market Operations: Adaptations, Barriers, and Future Directions for Increasing Food Access. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:11390. [PMID: 36141664 PMCID: PMC9517362 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191811390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mobile produce markets were increasingly recognized as an effective and accepted approach to improving access to fruits and vegetables in lower-income and at-risk communities during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. This study provides insights into how mobile market operations were impacted by, and evolved in response to, challenges posed by the pandemic. METHODS A survey evaluating impacts of the pandemic on mobile markets was distributed to a database of mobile market operators in the United States. Respondents were asked to describe impacts to their mobile market's operations, and what adaptations were needed to continue to effectively serve their communities during 2020. RESULTS Surveys representing 48 unique mobile markets were collected from March to July 2021. Of the respondents, 63% reported an increase in demand for mobile market services from community members. Furthermore, 65% increased the amount of produce they distributed in 2020 as compared to 2019, often through adopting low or no-cost models or participating in pandemic government programs. DISCUSSION Emergency adaptations employed by mobile markets can inform long-term operational modifications for not only mobile markets, but also other food access programs, beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne E. Lally
- Department of Community Health and Health Behavior, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA
- Department of Anthropology, The College of Arts and Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14261, USA
| | - Alban Morina
- Department of Community Health and Health Behavior, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA
| | - Leah N. Vermont
- Department of Community Health and Health Behavior, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA
| | - Jill N. Tirabassi
- Department of Family Medicine, Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Lucia A. Leone
- Department of Community Health and Health Behavior, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA
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Vermont LN, Kasprzak C, Lally A, Claudio A, Tumiel-Berhalter L, Haynes-Maslow L, Ammerman A, Raja S, Leone LA. A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Research-Tested Mobile Produce Market Model Designed to Improve Diet in Under-Resourced Communities: Rationale and Design for the Veggie Van Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:9832. [PMID: 36011468 PMCID: PMC9408281 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19169832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Mobile produce markets are increasingly popular retail vendors used for providing access to fresh fruits and vegetables (F&V) in under-resourced communities; however, evaluation is limited due to design and implementation challenges. This protocol presents the original design of a randomized control trial aimed at assessing the effectiveness of the evidence-based Veggie Van (VV) mobile market model. Nine US community partner organizations were asked to partner with four community sites serving lower-income areas. Sites are randomized to either intervention or control. Intervention sites will host a mobile market for one year while the control sites will host planning events, with the goal to open a market afterward. Eligible participants are aged ≥ 18, the primary household shopper, live nearby/regularly frequent the site, and have expressed interest in learning about a mobile market. The primary outcome, F&V consumption, will be assessed via dietary recall at baseline and 12 months and compared between the intervention and control sites. This research advances work on the VV model and methods for mobile market evaluation with the addition of more robust measures and the study design. Determining the effectiveness of the VV model is imperative to justify taking it to scale to enhance the impact of mobile markets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah N. Vermont
- Department of Community Health and Health Behavior, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA
| | - Christina Kasprzak
- Department of Community Health and Health Behavior, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA
| | - Anne Lally
- Department of Community Health and Health Behavior, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA
| | - Alicia Claudio
- Department of Community Health and Health Behavior, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA
| | - Laurene Tumiel-Berhalter
- Department of Family Medicine, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Lindsey Haynes-Maslow
- Department of Agricultural and Human Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Alice Ammerman
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Samina Raja
- Department of Urban and Regional Planning, School of Architecture and Planning, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA
| | - Lucia A. Leone
- Department of Community Health and Health Behavior, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA
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Kasprzak CM, Lally AE, Schoonover JJ, Gallicchio D, Haynes-Maslow L, Vermont LN, Ammerman AS, Raja S, Tumiel-Berhalter L, Tirabassi JN, Leone LA. Operational challenges that may affect implementation of evidence-based mobile market interventions. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:776. [PMID: 35429973 PMCID: PMC9013179 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-13207-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Mobile produce markets are becoming an increasingly prevalent, accepted, and effective strategy for improving fruit and vegetable (F&V) access and consumption across underserved and lower-income communities. However, there is limited published research on mobile market operations. The goal of this research is to identify the challenges mobile markets face and ways to potentially mitigate those challenges. We will also discuss implications of our findings for future implementation of evidence-based food access interventions. METHODS We conducted 21 semi-structured key informant (KI) interviews to assess common practices of mobile market organizations that had been operating for 2 + years. We asked KIs about their organizational structure, operations, procurement and logistics, evaluation efforts, marketing and community engagement, success and challenges. A primary qualitative analysis involved deductive coding using qualitative software. A secondary qualitative analysis identified subthemes related to common challenges and remedial practices. A deductive coding process was applied to match identified challenges to the appropriate Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). RESULTS The leading challenges cited by KIs correspond to the CFIR domains of inner setting (e.g., funding and resources), outer setting (e.g., navigating regulations), and process (e.g., engaging community partnership). Practices that may mitigate challenges include maximizing ancillary services, adopting innovative volunteer and staffing structures, and formalizing agreements with community partners. CONCLUSION Common and persistent challenges ought to be addressed to ensure and enhance the positive public health impacts of mobile produce markets. Contextual factors, particularly organizational factors, that impact implementation should also be considered when implementing an evidence-based intervention at a mobile market. Further research is needed to determine which innovative solutions are the most effective in mitigating challenges, improving implementation, and enhancing sustainability of mobile markets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina M Kasprzak
- Department of Community Health and Health Behavior, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.
| | - Anne E Lally
- Department of Community Health and Health Behavior, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
- Department of Anthropology, The College of Arts and Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, USA
| | - Julia J Schoonover
- Department of Sociology, The College of Arts and Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, USA
| | - Deanna Gallicchio
- Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, School of Public Health and Health Professionals, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, USA
| | - Lindsey Haynes-Maslow
- Department of Agricultural and Human Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, USA
| | - Leah N Vermont
- Department of Community Health and Health Behavior, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Alice S Ammerman
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Samina Raja
- Department of Urban and Regional Planning, School of Architecture and Planning, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, USA
| | - Laurene Tumiel-Berhalter
- Department of Family Medicine, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, USA
| | - Jill N Tirabassi
- Department of Family Medicine, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, USA
| | - Lucia A Leone
- Department of Community Health and Health Behavior, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
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