The healthfulness of foods and beverages found in retail food stores differs widely across the United States, both by location of the store as well as by store type. Communities with predominantly white residents have two to four

times more supermarkets and large-chain grocery stores than communities of color. In contrast, lower-income and communities of color have more small food outlets, such as small food stores (‘corner stores’) and convenience stores. These small food stores primarily tend to sell prepackaged foods and beverages that are high in calories and poor in nutrients. They are also less likely to sell healthy, staple foods such as fruits and vegetables, whole grain-rich

foods, and low-fat dairy products.