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Sustainment of healthy food retail practices in Australian public settings

Bibliographic Data

ID22945648
AuthorsBettina Backman (0000-0001-5433-889X, Deakin University, corresponding author), Shaan S Naughton (Deakin University), Serene Yoong (0000-0002-0836-017X, Deakin University), Victoria Brown (0000-0003-2937-2548, Deakin University), Miranda R Blake (0000-0002-0649-2320, Deakin University)
Year2026
Volume41
Issue4
Publication date2026-07-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHealth Promotion International (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0957-4824 • E-ISSN: 1460-2245
PublisherOxford University Press (OUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1093/heapro/daag092
PMID42446392
OpenAlexW7168285812
LanguageEN
References cited49

Sustained policy-driven changes to the availability and promotion of healthier food and drinks in foodservice outlets are essential to support population health over time. Limited research has explored whether why and how healthy food retail practices become easier or more challenging to maintain over time. This study aimed to explore food retailer (managers, staff, and volunteers) and implementation support practitioner (e.g. dietitians and health promotion practitioners) experiences with and perspectives on the (i) feasibility of, (ii) key determinants of, and (iii) strategies for sustaining healthy food retail practices in a range of Australian public settings (e.g. healthcare facilities). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 participants (nine practitioners and eight retailers) representing food outlets with experience sustaining healthy food retail practices in sport and recreation centres, schools, and healthcare facilities across six Australian jurisdictions. Interviews were thematically analyzed, using primarily a deductive approach informed by the Integrated Sustainability Framework, sustainment-explicit Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change glossary, and marketing mix theory. Key determinants of sustainment (Theme 1) were related to ‘intervention-context fit and outlet capacity’; ‘people and processes driving sustainment’; and ‘top-down leadership and systemic support’. Multiple interconnected strategies to support sustainment (Theme 2) were identified, including ‘iterative, evaluative, and adaptive strategies to support fit and fidelity’; ‘engagement and behaviour-focused strategies to build capacity and demand’; and ‘embedding healthy food retail within organizational governance and policy systems’. Sustaining healthy food retail practices in public settings is a dynamic process, requiring consistent alignment between inner and outer context, support systems, and engagement with key actors.

Corporate governance · Health promotion · Healthy food · Population · Population health · Promotion (chess) · Public health · Recreation · Sustainability · Global Public Health Policies and Epidemiology · Health Policy Implementation Science · Organic Food and Agriculture

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