A mixed-methods exploration of the food retail environment of a low-income area of Montevideo, Uruguay.

This article focuses on characterizing the retail food environment in a low-income area of Montevideo, Uruguay, using a mixed-methods approach combining field surveys and interviews with residents and small grocery store owners. The study identified 415 food outlets, with small behind-the-counter grocery stores being the most prevalent and key sources of healthy foods recommended by the Uruguayan dietary guidelines. While physical access to healthy foods was generally adequate across residential areas, residents reported challenges related to high prices, limited variety, and poor quality of foods in local stores, leading some to seek food from more distant outlets. Store owners indicated that food supply is primarily driven by customer demand but constrained by competition, infrastructure limitations, and supply chain issues, suggesting that promoting short food supply chains could improve affordability and quality. The findings highlight the need for food access strategies that extend beyond physical proximity to address affordability, variety, and quality to support sustainable urban food systems in Montevideo.