The Veggie Van model is guided by our research and Social Cognitive Theory (SCT). Social cognitive theory offers the concept of reciprocal determinism to describe the interdependent influences among individuals, their behaviors, and the environments in which they live.
This theory suggests that changing the food environment alone is not enough, but that we also need to address how individuals perceive and interact with that environment. The VV program was designed to address the interplay between the physical food environment, individual perceptions of that environment (perceived food access), and self-efficacy and measure their combined effects on diet, specifically F&V consumption (Figure 1).
This theory suggests that changing the food environment alone is not enough, but that we also need to address how individuals perceive and interact with that environment. The VV program was designed to address the interplay between the physical food environment, individual perceptions of that environment (perceived food access), and self-efficacy and measure their combined effects on diet, specifically F&V consumption (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Model of the GC Program's effect on Reciprocal Determinism between individual, environment, and behavior
The VV program addresses multiple dimensions of food access, including availability, affordability, acceptability, and accommodation (Figure 1). Furthermore, the VV program includes a cooking and nutrition education component that addresses behavioral constructs designed to improve self-efficacy for finding, purchasing, and preparing F&V and other healthy foods.