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American families are increasingly turning to dollar stores for food, with calories from these outlets nearly doubling from 3.4% to 6.5% of household purchases, according to a new study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Dollar stores have become the fastest-growing food retailers in the United States, offering budget-friendly options that appeal to many consumers.
The study, conducted by researchers from Tufts University, analyzed over a decade of food purchasing data from 183,000 U.S. households between 2008 and 2020. It found that while dollar stores often sell less healthy, ultra-processed foods, families are compensating by purchasing healthier items from other retailers. The Healthy Eating Index (HEI), which measures diet quality, showed that households with substantial dollar store purchases had similar diet scores to those with fewer purchases, suggesting a balance in overall food quality.
Dr. Wenhui Feng, the lead author of the study, noted that families might be strategizing by buying certain items at dollar stores for affordability while continuing to purchase healthier options elsewhere. ABC News reported that dollar stores are particularly prevalent in low-income and rural areas, sometimes serving as one of the few nearby retail options. Dr. Marie-Pierre St-Onge from Columbia University highlighted the need for improving dollar store offerings to ensure access to affordable, healthful foods.
The study also found that despite the increase in calories from dollar stores, the overall diet quality of households remained consistent over time. Tufts University noted that while dollar stores provide discounts for lower-quality products, even frequent shoppers obtain over 90% of their calories from other outlets. The research emphasizes the importance of understanding the role of dollar stores in food access and affordability, particularly as their presence continues to grow across the country.