Process Evaluation of an Intervention to Increase Staple Food Access in SNAP-Authorized Convenience Stores in Rural Appalachian Communities with Low Incomes

The Shop Smart Tennessee (SSTN) intervention was implemented in convenience stores in rural Appalachian communities with low incomes and aimed to increase access to and demand for staple foods/beverages. SSTN process evaluation metrics (reach, dose delivered, fidelity) assessed program implementation. This study found high-quality implementation for interventions related to increasing stock of healthier items and variable implementation for interventions related to increasing demand. Social media and text messaging interventions had the lowest quality implementation, offering opportunities for improvement in these areas. Key partnerships and regular review of process measures allowed researchers to enhance successful project delivery throughout the study.