BACKGROUND Fruit and vegetable (F/V) consumption among school-aged children falls short of current recommendations. The development of public-private partnerships (PPPs) has been suggested as an effective approach to address a number of public health concerns, including inadequate F/V consumption. The US Department of Agriculture's Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) provides F/V as snacks at least twice per week in low-income elementary schools. In addition to increasing F/V consumption behaviors at school, children participating in the FFVP make more requests for F/V in grocery stores and at home, suggesting the impact of the program extends beyond school settings. OBJECTIVE This study explored the potential for establishing successful PPPs between schools and food retailers to promote the sales of F/V in low-income communities. DESIGN Semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted with participants from 4 groups of stakeholders. PARTICIPANTS/SETTING Grocery store and produce managers from 10 grocery stores, FFVP personnel from 5 school districts and 12 schools, and parents of children attending 3 different FFVP-participating schools, all in the Phoenix, AZ, metropolitan area participated in interviews and focus groups. STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED Data were analyzed using a directed content analysis approach to examine benefits, barriers, and strategies for developing a PPP. RESULTS Key perceived benefits of creating a PPP included the potential to increase store sales, to enhance public relations with the community, and to extend the impact of the FFVP to settings outside of schools. Barriers included offering expensive produce through the FFVP and the potential lack of communication among partners. Strategies for developing a PPP included using seasonal produce and having clear instructions for teachers and staff. Parents reported their children requesting more F/V as a result of FFVP participation. CONCLUSIONS Stakeholders support forming PPPs. Partnerships between FFVP schools and retailers can be mutually beneficial and have a positive impact on children and their families.

中文翻译：

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亚利桑那州凤凰城的定性研究，探索对公私合作伙伴关系的支持，以扩大新鲜水果和蔬菜计划的影响范围

背景 学龄儿童的水果和蔬菜 (F/V) 消费量低于目前的建议。公私伙伴关系 (PPP) 的发展已被建议作为解决许多公共卫生问题的有效方法，包括 F/V 消费不足。美国农业部的新鲜水果和蔬菜计划 (FFVP) 每周至少两次在低收入小学提供 F/V 作为零食。除了在学校增加 F/V 消费行为外，参与 FFVP 的儿童在杂货店和家中对 F/V 提出了更多要求，表明该计划的影响超出了学校环境。目标 本研究探讨了在学校和食品零售商之间建立成功的 PPPs 以促进低收入社区 F/V 销售的潜力。设计 对来自 4 组利益相关者的参与者进行了半结构化访谈和焦点小组。参与者/设置 来自 10 家杂货店的杂货店和生产经理、来自 5 个学区和 12 所学校的 FFVP 人员以及就读于 3 所不同的 FFVP 参与学校的孩子的家长，他们都在亚利桑那州凤凰城和大都市区参加了采访和焦点小组. 执行的统计分析 使用定向内容分析方法分析数据，以检查开发 PPP 的好处、障碍和策略。结果 创建 PPP 的主要感知好处包括增加商店销售额、加强与社区的公共关系以及将 FFVP 的影响扩展到学校以外的环境的潜力。障碍包括通过 FFVP 提供昂贵的产品以及合作伙伴之间可能缺乏沟通。制定 PPP 的策略包括使用季节性产品并为教师和工作人员提供明确的指示。家长报告说，由于 FFVP 的参与，他们的孩子要求更多的 F/V。结论 利益相关者支持形成 PPP。FFVP 学校和零售商之间的合作伙伴关系可以互惠互利，并对儿童及其家庭产生积极影响。