scholarly journals An Examination of the Adequacy of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Benefit Levels: Impacts on Food Insecurity

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 433-447 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig Gundersen ◽  
Elaine Waxman ◽  
Amy S. Crumbaugh
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
The United States ◽  
Food Prices ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Nutrition Assistance ◽  
The Cost

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) serves as the primary tool to alleviate food insecurity in the United States. Its effectiveness has been demonstrated in numerous studies, but the majority of SNAP recipients are still food insecure. One factor behind this is the difference in food prices across the country—SNAP benefits are not adjusted to reflect these differences. Using information from Feeding America's Map the Meal Gap (MMG) project, we compare the cost of a meal by county based on the Thrifty Food Plan (TFP)—which is used to set the maximum SNAP benefit—with the cost of the average meal for low-income food-secure households. We find that the cost of the latter meal is higher than the TFP meal for over 99 percent of the counties. We next consider the reduction in food insecurity if, by county, the maximum SNAP benefit level was set to the cost of the average meal for low-income food-secure households. We find that if this approach were implemented, there would be a decline of 50.9 percent in food insecurity among SNAP recipients at a cost of $23 billion.

scholarly journals Effect of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program–Education (SNAP-Ed) on food security and dietary outcomes

2019 ◽  
Vol 77 (12) ◽  
pp. 903-921 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca L Rivera ◽  
Melissa K Maulding ◽  
Heather A Eicher-Miller
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Low Income ◽  
The United States ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Nutrition Assistance ◽  
Study Designs

AbstractThe Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program–Education (SNAP-Ed) is the nutrition promotion component of SNAP, formerly known as food stamps. SNAP-Ed assists low-income populations in the United States improve dietary intake and reduce food insecurity through nutrition education. This narrative review summarizes current investigations of SNAP-Ed’s effectiveness at improving food security and dietary outcomes, and it can help inform future policy and implementation of the program. There was stronger evidence for SNAP-Ed as an effective means of improving food security (n = 4 reports) than for its effects on nutrition or dietary outcomes (n = 10 reports). Inconsistency in measurement tools and outcomes and a lack of strong study designs characterized the studies that sought to evaluate the effectiveness of SNAP-Ed at improving nutrition or dietary outcomes. Additional rigorous study designs in diverse population groups are needed to strengthen the evidence. In the face of reduced financial SNAP benefits, SNAP-Ed may play an important role in helping to eliminate food insecurity and improve dietary outcomes and, ultimately, the health of low-income Americans.

scholarly journals Food Insecurity in a Low-Income, Predominantly African American Cohort Following the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 111 (3) ◽  
pp. 494-497
Author(s):  
Tamara Dubowitz ◽  
Madhumita Ghosh Dastidar ◽  
Wendy M. Troxel ◽  
Robin Beckman ◽  
Alvin Nugroho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
The United States ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ◽  
Food Bank ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Nutrition Assistance ◽  
National Trends ◽  
The Impact

Objectives. To examine the impact of COVID-19 shutdowns on food insecurity among a predominantly African American cohort residing in low-income racially isolated neighborhoods. Methods. Residents of 2 low-income African American food desert neighborhoods in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, were surveyed from March 23 to May 22, 2020, drawing on a longitudinal cohort (n = 605) previously followed from 2011 to 2018. We examined longitudinal trends in food insecurity from 2011 to 2020 and compared them with national trends. We also assessed use of food assistance in our sample in 2018 versus 2020. Results. From 2018 to 2020, food insecurity increased from 20.7% to 36.9% (t = 7.63; P < .001) after steady declines since 2011. As a result of COVID-19, the United States has experienced a 60% increase in food insecurity, whereas this sample showed a nearly 80% increase, widening a preexisting disparity. Participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (52.2%) and food bank use (35.9%) did not change significantly during the early weeks of the pandemic. Conclusions. Longitudinal data highlight profound inequities that have been exacerbated by COVID-19. Existing policies appear inadequate to address the widening gap.

scholarly journals Three essays on food insecurity, nutritional outcomes, and supplemental nutrition assistance program participation among seniors

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Ashley E. Price
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Functional Limitations ◽  
Good Health ◽  
The United States ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Nutrition Assistance ◽  
Nutritional Outcomes

As the senior population in the United States grows to be a more significant portion of the American populous, social scientists, public health advocates, policy makers, and health care professor must grapple with how to address the strain senior will place on health systems and social services. Nutrition is a critical component of maintaining good health, managing chronic diseases, and prevention, thus, we must learn more about the senior experiences with nutrition and social programs which address nutrition inadequacy. To contribute to this literature this dissertation uses nationally representative survey data and econometric analysis to understand seniors and nutrition. The first essay focuses on understanding what contributes to seniors' participation Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The second essay looks at the role food security and functional limitations play in seniors' nutritional outcomes. The third chapter explores what drives the higher food insecurity rates among senior women relative to senior men. All three essays highlight potential barriers for seniors having quality nutrition.

scholarly journals Examining Rural Food-Insecure Families’ Perceptions of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: A Qualitative Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (17) ◽  
pp. 6390
Author(s):  
Lindsey Haynes-Maslow ◽  
Annie Hardison-Moody ◽  
Megan Patton-Lopez ◽  
T. Elaine Prewitt ◽  
Carmen Byker Shanks ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Customer Service ◽  
The United States ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Funding Formulas ◽  
Nutrition Assistance

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a critical program that helps reduce the risk of food insecurity, yet little is known about how SNAP addresses the needs of rural, food-insecure residents in the United States (U.S.). This study examines how rural, food-insecure residents perceive SNAP. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 153 individuals living in six diverse rural regions of Arkansas, Montana, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas, and West Virginia. SNAP was described as a crucial stop-gap program, keeping families from experiencing persistent food insecurity, making food dollars stretch when the family budget is tight, and helping them purchase healthier foods. For many rural residents interviewed, SNAP was viewed in a largely positive light. In efforts to continue improving SNAP, particularly in light of its relevance during and post-coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, policymakers must be aware of rural families’ perceptions of SNAP. Specific improvements may include increased transparency regarding funding formulas, budgeting and nutrition education for recipients, effective training to improve customer service, connections among social service agencies within a community, and increased availability of automation to streamline application processes.

scholarly journals The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Financial Stress, and Childhood Obesity

2012 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Burgstahler ◽  
Craig Gundersen ◽  
Steven Garasky
Keyword(s):  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Financial Stress ◽  
The United States ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Household Finances ◽  
Nutrition Assistance ◽  
Using Data

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the largest nutritional assistance program addressing food insecurity in the United States. Due to the program's reach, SNAP has been called upon to address other nutrition-related challenges facing low-income Americans, including childhood obesity. This study considers the effect of SNAP participation on child weight outcomes after controlling for household financial stress, an important determinant of child overweight status that disproportionately affects low-income households. Using data from theSurvey of Household Finances and Childhood Obesityand instrumental variable methods, we find that SNAP participation is negatively associated with obesity among eligible children.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and frequency of sugar-sweetened soft drink consumption among low-income adults in the US

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 147-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiyeun Park ◽  
Hsien-Chang Lin ◽  
Chao-Ying Peng
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Soft Drink ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ◽  
Poverty Level ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Soft Drink Consumption ◽  
The Us ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Nutrition Assistance

Background: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) was designed to help low-income people purchase nutritious foods in the US. In recent years, there has been a consistent call for banning purchases of sugar drinks in SNAP. Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the association between SNAP participation and the frequency of sugar-sweetened soft drink (SSD) consumption among low-income adults in the US. Method: Data came from the 2009–2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Low-income adults aged ≥20 years with a household income ≤250% of the Federal Poverty Level ( N = 1200) were categorized into two groups based on the household’s SNAP receipt: SNAP recipients ( n = 393) and non-recipients ( n = 807). Propensity-score matching was used to minimize observable differences between these two groups that may explain the difference in SSD consumption, generating the final sample of 393 matched pairs (SNAP recipients, n = 393; non-recipients, n = 393). An ordinal logistic regression was conducted on the matched sample. Results: SNAP recipients were more likely to report higher levels of SSD consumption, compared with non-recipients (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.55, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.17−2.07). Male gender (AOR = 1.69, 95% CI = 1.17−2.46), younger age (AOR = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.96−0.99), lower education level (AOR = 2.28, 95% CI = 1.33−3.89), and soda availability in homes (AOR = 2.24, 95% CI = 1.77−2.83) were also associated with higher levels of SSD consumption among low-income adults. Conclusions: SNAP participation was associated with frequent SSD consumption. To reduce SSD consumption, strategic efforts need to focus on educating people about the harms of SSD and promoting nutritious food choices with SNAP benefits.

scholarly journals 0379 Green Space Exposure and Sleep Duration Among Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Participants

SLEEP ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. A145-A146
Author(s):  
D Grigsby-Toussaint ◽  
J Shin
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Sleep Duration ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Green Space ◽  
The United States ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Nutrition Assistance ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Introduction Emerging empirical evidence suggests green space exposure is protective against insufficient sleep. Limited studies exist, however, exploring the relationship between greenspace exposure and sleep among low income populations in the United States. Methods Using a sample of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants (n=104) recruited from Champaign County, Illinois, we examined the relationship between self-reported sleep duration and exposure to green space. Sleep duration was determined using the question, “On average, how many hours did you sleep each night during the past 4 weeks?” Green space exposure was determined using satellite imagery from the National Aeronautic Space Administration (NASA) normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). An NDVI score was assigned to each participant based on residential geo-referenced data. Multiple linear regression was performed in SPSS to explore the relationship between self-reported sleep duration and green space. Results Higher number of hours of sleep within a 24-hour period was positively associated with higher scores for greenspace exposure (β=0.091, P=0.02), controlling for age, gender, smoking status, education, alcohol consumption, and sleep quality. Sleep duration was negatively associated with age (β=-0.03, P=0.007), but positively associated with sleep quality (β=0.856, P=0.008). Conclusion In a sample of SNAP participants, exposure to green space was associated with more hours of sleep per night. Additional studies with larger, and more geographically diverse samples of low income adults are needed to determine whether this relationship is robust. Support USDA UNC/DUKE BECR Center

scholarly journals Does Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Reduce Food Insecurity among Households with Children? Evidence from the Current Population Survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 3178
Author(s):  
Jun Zhang ◽  
Yanghao Wang ◽  
Steven T. Yen
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Current Population Survey ◽  
Population Survey ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Current Population ◽  
Households With Children ◽  
Nutrition Assistance

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is designed to improve household diet and food security—a pressing problem confronting low-income families in the United States. Previous studies on the issue often ignored the methodological issue of endogenous program participation. We revisit this important issue by estimating a simultaneous equation system with ordinal household food insecurity. Data are drawn from the 2009–2011 Current Population Survey Food Security Supplement (CPS-FSS), restricted to SNAP-eligible households with children. Our results add to the stocks of empirical findings that SNAP participation ameliorates food insecurity among adults only, but increases the probabilities of low and very low food security among children. These contradictory results indicate that our selection approach with a single cross section is only partially successful, and that additional efforts are needed in further analyses of this complicated issue, perhaps with longitudinal data. Socio-demographic variables are found to affect food-secure households and food-insecure households differently, but affect SNAP nonparticipants and participants in the same direction. The state policy tools, such as broad-based categorical eligibility (BBCE) and simplified reporting, can encourage SNAP participation and thus ameliorate food insecurity. Our findings can inform policy deliberations.

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