Coverage and Characterization of Food Delivery Services Through a Mobile Application in Small and Medium-Sized Cities in Brazil

Renata Júlia da Costa, Paloma Aparecida Anastacio Barros (), Juliana de Paula Matos and Paula Martins Horta
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Renata Júlia da Costa: Department of Nutrition, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190-Santa Efigênia, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, MG, Brazil
Paloma Aparecida Anastacio Barros: Department of Nutrition, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190-Santa Efigênia, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, MG, Brazil
Juliana de Paula Matos: Department of Nutrition, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190-Santa Efigênia, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, MG, Brazil
Paula Martins Horta: Department of Nutrition, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190-Santa Efigênia, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, MG, Brazil

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 2, 1-18

Abstract: This is the first study to analyze the coverage and profile of establishments registered on a meal delivery application (MDA) in small and medium-sized cities in Brazil. The app serves 497 municipalities across 22 states, offering 28,325 establishments. App coverage was measured as the ratio of cities served to the total small and medium-sized cities in each Brazilian region. The establishments were categorized using keyword analysis into six groups: International Cuisine, Snacks, Bakery Products, Complete Meals and Side Dishes, Sweets, Ice Creams and Desserts, and Healthy Options. Greater app coverage was observed in the South (13.68%) and Southeast (13.63%) regions. In contrast, lower coverage was noted in the North (2.46%) and Northeast (2.30%) regions. The keyword category ‘Snacks’ was the most used across all Brazilian regions, while ‘Healthy Options’ was the least utilized. Positive correlations were identified between the number of establishments on the app and the Municipal Human Development Index (r = 0.30; p < 0.001), demographic density (r = 0.23; p < 0.001), and urban population (r = 0.55; p < 0.001). The use of keyword categories varied across municipalities based on their demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. Our findings reveal significant asymmetries in app coverage and the types of registered establishments, which may further exacerbate inequalities in food access.

Keywords: food delivery apps; socioeconomic factors; digital food environment; ultra-processed foods (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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