Nutrition Environment Measures Survey (NEMS)

Store Measures: Variables to be Derived

A.  Milk

1.  Availability of Low-fat Milk:

a.  Available - yes/no

b.  Proportion of milk shelf space with low-fat milk (add up the column x size for each listed below, compare skim vs. whole milk)

i. Pint = 2.5 inches

ii. Quart = 3 inches

iii. Half gallon = 3 inches

iv. Gallon = 5 inches

2.  Pricing:

a.  Price of low-fat milk

b.  Relative price of whole milk vs. low-fat milk

3.  Definitions:

a.  Low-fat milk – fat-free, skim and 1%

b.  Whole milk – full fat (3.25%)

c.  Reduced fat milk – 2%

B.  Fruit

1.  Availability: number of types (food variety)

a.  Number of types of fruits

b.  Total varieties of fruits

2.  Pricing - Price of indicator items (from best selling list)

3.  Quality: Acceptable vs. Unacceptable produce:

a.  Acceptable = peak condition, top quality, good color, fresh, firm and clean

b.  Unacceptable = bruised, old looking, mushy, dry, overripe, dark sunken spots in irregular patches or cracked or broken surfaces, signs of shriveling, mold or excessive softening

c.  The rating is based on the majority (50% or more) of fruits. If mixed unacceptable, note in the comments section.

C.  Vegetables

1.  Availability: number of types (food variety):

  1. Number of types of vegetables
  2. Total varieties of vegetables

2.  Pricing:

Price of indicator items (from best selling list)

3.  Quality: Acceptable vs. Unacceptable produce:

a.  Acceptable = peak condition, top quality, good color, fresh, firm and clean

b.  Unacceptable = bruised, old looking, mushy, dry, overripe, dark sunken spots in irregular patches or cracked or broken surfaces, signs of shriveling, mold or excessive softening

c.  The rating is based on the majority (50% or more) of vegetables. If mixed unacceptable, note in the comments section.

D.  Ground Beef

1.  Availability: Lean meat

Fat content of ground meat available

2.  Pricing:

a.  Price ($/lb) for lean variety

b.  Relative price of lean vs. regular of same brand

3.  Definitions: Standard -

  1. Lean ground beef: 90% lean, 10% fat
  2. Standard ground beef: 80% lean, 20% fat

E.  Hotdogs

1.  *Availability: What are the lowest grams of fat per serving for hot dogs available?

  1. Regular (≥13 g fat/serving)

i.  Wiener – Mixed meat source

ii.  Frank – All beef

  1. Light (≤7 g fat/serving)

i.  Wiener – Mixed meat source

ii.  Frank – All beef

  1. Fat-free – (0 g fat/serving)

Wiener

  1. Turkey – (≤8 g fat/serving)

*Fat gram definitions are based on Oscar Mayer brand hot dogs.

2.  Pricing:

  1. Lowest price for healthier (lowest gram fat content) hot dogs and regular hot dogs
  2. Relative price of lowest fat vs. regular of same brand

F.  Frozen Dinners

1.  Availability: Reduced Fat Frozen Dinners

Lower fat and regular frozen dinners

2.  Pricing:

a.  Price ($/pkg) for lower fat dinner

b.  Relative price of lower fat vs. regular of same brand

3.  Definitions:

a.  Lower-fat frozen dinner: ≤ 9 g fat/serving (8-11 oz. package)

b.  Regular frozen dinner: >9 g fat/serving (8-11 oz. package)

G.  Baked Goods

1.  Availability: What baked goods are available?

a.  Healthier items

i.  Fat-free: 0 g fat/portion

ii.  Low-fat: ≤3 g fat/portion

b.  Regular items

i.  Energy dense: >400 kcal/portion

ii.  >3 g fat/portion

2.  Pricing:

a.  Price ($/per item) for lower fat baked good

b.  Relative price of lower fat baked good vs. regular baked good

H.  Beverages—Convenience Store

1.  Availability:

a.  Diet soda (12 oz. and 20 oz.)

b.  100% juice with no added sugar (16 oz.)

c.  Juice drinks (16 oz.)

2.  Pricing:

Absolute price of beverages compared to sugared soda, 100% juice, and juice drinks

3.  Definitions:

a.  Sugared soda – Regular

b.  Diet soda - 0 kcal

c.  100% juice – Natural juice with no added sugars. Container must say 100% juice on label.

d.  Juice drinks – Juice with added sugar and water

I.  Beverages—Grocery Store

1.  Availability:

a.  Diet soda (12 pack, 12 oz.)

b.  100% juice with no added sugar (64 oz.)

c.  Juice drinks (64 oz.)

2.  Pricing:

Absolute price of beverages compared to sugared soda, 100% juice, and juice drinks

3.  Definitions:

a.  Sugared soda – Regular soda

b.  Diet soda - 0 kcal

c.  100% juice – Natural juice with no added sugars. Container must say 100% juice on label.

d.  Juice drinks – Juice with added sugar and water

J.  Bread

1.  Availability:

a.  Healthier items: 100% whole wheat and whole grain bread

b.  Regular items: Bread made with refined flour

2.  Pricing:

  1. Price ($/per ounce)
  2. Relative price of 100% whole wheat bread vs. regular bread of same brand

K.  Baked Chips

1.  Availability: How many varieties of baked low-fat chips are available?

a.  Healthier items:

i.  Fat-free: 0 g fat/serving

ii.  Low-fat: ≤3 g fat/serving

b.  Regular items: > 3 g fat/serving

2.  Pricing:

  1. Price ($/per ounce)
  2. Relative price of baked chips vs. regular chips of same brand

L.  Cereal

1.  Availability: How many varieties of low sugar cereal are available?

  1. Healthier item: ≤ 7 grams of sugar
  2. Regular item:> 7 grams of sugar

2.  Pricing:

  1. Price ($/per ounce)
  2. Relative price of reduced sugar cereal vs. regular cereal of same brand

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