Qualitative Analysis of Grocery Store and Farmers Market Manager Perceptions Regarding Use of Fruit and Vegetable Educational Materials

Abstract

The Pick it! Try it! Like it! (PTL) educational resource set, developed to display in grocery stores and farmers markets, teaches individuals how to shop for and prepare healthy fruit and vegetable dishes. Because program buy-in must be obtained from location managers before implementation occurs, the purpose of this study was to qualitatively examine the perceptions that grocery store and farmers market managers have regarding PTL implementation. Locations that requested PTL materials during 2013-14 were contacted and asked to answer 13 questions. Responses were analyzed using the content analysis method with themes generated and frequencies reported. Analyses examined manager perceptions for indications of buy-in to the PTL program or evidence of negative gatekeeper challenges to implementation. Overall, managers reported the PTL resource set as beneficial; however, barriers were identified which can be used in future program planning.

Keywords

• fruit
• vegetable
• nutrition education
• gatekeeper
• qualitative