scholarly journals Can a shift in the purchase of local foods by Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients impact the local economy?

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 90-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florence A. Becot ◽  
Marilyn Sitaker ◽  
Jane M. Kolodinsky ◽  
Emily H. Morgan ◽  
Weiwei Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Local Economy ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ◽  
Farmers Markets ◽  
Community Supported Agriculture ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Specialty Crops ◽  
Nutrition Assistance

AbstractIn recent years, several initiatives have sought to encourage redemption of food assistance benefits at direct-to-consumer (DTC) market venues such as community supported agriculture programs and farmers’ markets in the USA, with the dual goal of increasing access to healthy foods for low-income families and sales of locally-grown foods for farmers. Proponents of these interventions assert that these programs have a positive impact on local economies yet there is limited evidence to validate this argument. This research project used a customized input-output model to simulate potential economic impacts of programs and policies that enable Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to shift purchases from traditional food retailers to DTC venues in four states. Two different scenarios were explored: (1) increased outreach to low-income consumers and (2) financial support for using SNAP benefits at DTC market channels. We found a positive, though modest, economic impact at the state level under both scenarios when accounting for (a) business losses in the food retail and wholesale sectors, (b) a shift in acreage from commodity to specialty crops and (c) the cost to taxpayers. Since most of the increased economic activity would be in the produce farming sector, we discuss the opportunities and challenges for this sector along with potential policy implications.

scholarly journals Farmers’ market shopping and dietary behaviours among Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participants

2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (13) ◽  
pp. 2407-2414 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie B Jilcott Pitts ◽  
Qiang Wu ◽  
Chelsea L Demarest ◽  
Crystal E Dixon ◽  
Ciarra JM Dortche ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diet Quality ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ◽  
Farmers Markets ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Farmers Market ◽  
Dietary Behaviours ◽  
Nutrition Assistance ◽  
Low Income Consumers

AbstractObjectiveBecause farmers’ markets include a variety of fruits and vegetables, shopping at farmers’ markets would likely improve diet quality among low-income consumers, as well as promote sustainable direct farm-to-consumer business models. However, not much is known about how to promote farmers’ market shopping among low-income consumers. Therefore, the purpose of the present paper was to examine barriers to and facilitators of shopping at farmers’ markets and associations between shopping at farmers’ markets and self-reported dietary behaviours (fruit and vegetable, sugar-sweetened beverage and fast-food consumption) and BMI.DesignCross-sectional analyses of associations between farmers’ market shopping frequency, awareness of markets, access to markets, dietary behaviours and BMI.SettingDepartment of Social Services, Pitt County, eastern North Carolina, USA.SubjectsBetween April and July 2013, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants (n205) completed a quantitative survey.ResultsBarriers to shopping at farmers’ markets included does not accept SNAP/electronic benefit transfer, out of the way and lack of transportation. Farmers’ market shopping was associated with awareness of farmers’ markets (estimate =0·18 (se0·04),P<0·001). Fruit and vegetable consumption was positively associated with farmers’ market shopping (estimate =1·06 (se0·32),P=0·001).ConclusionsOur study is one of the first to examine SNAP participants’ farmers’ market shopping, distance to farmers’ markets and dietary behaviours. Barriers to shopping at farmers’ markets and increasing awareness of existing markets should be addressed in future interventions to increase SNAP participants’ use of farmers’ markets, ultimately improving diet quality in this high-risk group.

scholarly journals Farmers' Market Utilization among Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Recipients in New Orleans, Louisiana: Preliminary Findings

2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 295
Author(s):  
Henry Nuss ◽  
Meg Skizim ◽  
Hasheemah Afaneh ◽  
Lucio Miele ◽  
Melinda Sothern
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ◽  
Farmers Markets ◽  
Grocery Stores ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Farmers Market ◽  
Transfer Payments ◽  
Nutrition Assistance

<p class="Pa7"><strong>Objective: </strong>Farmers’ markets are increas­ingly being promoted as a means to provide fresh produce to poor and underserved communities. However, farmers’ market (FM) use remains low among low-income patrons. The purpose of our study was to examine FM awareness and use, grocery shopping behaviors, and internet use among Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients.</p><p class="Pa7"><strong>Design: </strong>A descriptive analysis of preliminary data was performed to evaluate quantita­tive baseline data among SNAP recipients between June and August 2016 in New Or­leans, Louisiana (N=51). Data were collected via a 42-item online survey that included demographics, internet use, FM awareness and use, health information seeking behaviors and fruit and vegetable purchasing behaviors.</p><p class="Pa7"><strong>Results: </strong>Less than half of the survey respondents (n=24) had ever been to a FM. Local grocery stores and Wal-Mart were most used for purchasing fruits and vegetables (88% and 84%, respectively). The most common sources of healthy eat­ing information were Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and the internet, frequently accessed via smartphones. More than 80% of participants were not aware that local FMs accepted electronic benefit transfer payments as a form of payment.</p><p class="Pa7"><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These results support the incorporation of promotional methodol­ogy that combines internet-based mobile technology and existing services (eg, WIC) as a viable strategy to improve farmers’ market use among low-income populations. As most participants were not aware that participating FMs accept electronic ben­efit transfer payments, this fact should be emphasized in promotional material.</p><p class="Pa7">Ethn Dis. 2017;27(Suppl 1):295-302; doi:10.18865/ed.27.S1.295.</p>

Role of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in Improving Diet Quality: Implications for Nurses

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 62-70
Author(s):  
Victoria M. Pak ◽  
Erin Ferranti ◽  
Ingrid Duva ◽  
Melissa Owen ◽  
Sandra B. Dunbar
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Diet Quality ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Health Goals ◽  
National Public Health ◽  
Nutrition Assistance

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides access to healthy food for low-income individuals and households. Food security, however, does not necessarily achieve higher diet quality for beneficiaries. Diet quality is an important consideration for the development and management of chronic illness, a significant public health concern. In this study, we review incentives and disincentives implemented to improve the diet quality, the evidence on SNAP including benefits, challenges, and the politics of funding. New interventions and policies will be needed in order to improve the overall diet quality of SNAP households. SNAP should align with nutritional science to meet national public health goals. Nurses are trusted advocates for patients and the public and are uniquely positioned to aid in this effort. Informed by evidence, nurses willing to leverage their influence, can lead this needed change.

scholarly journals Dietary Supplement Use among U.S. Children by Family Income, Food Security Level, and Nutrition Assistance Program Participation Status in 2011–2014

Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shinyoung Jun ◽  
Alexandra Cowan ◽  
Janet Tooze ◽  
Jaime Gahche ◽  
Johanna Dwyer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Family Income ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Security Level ◽  
Program Participation ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Nutrition Assistance

This analysis characterizes use of dietary supplements (DS) and motivations for DS use among U.S. children (≤18 years) by family income level, food security status, and federal nutrition assistance program participation using the 2011–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data. About one-third (32%) of children used DS, mostly multivitamin-minerals (MVM; 24%). DS and MVM use were associated with higher family income and higher household food security level. DS use was lowest among children in households participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP; 20%) and those participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC; 26%) compared to both income-eligible and income-ineligible nonparticipants. Most children who used DS took only one (83%) or two (12%) products; although children in low-income families took fewer products than those in higher income families. The most common motivations for DS and MVM use were to “improve (42% or 46%)” or “maintain (34 or 38%)” health, followed by “to supplement the diet (23 or 24%)” for DS or MVM, respectively. High-income children were more likely to use DS and MVM “to supplement the diet” than middle- or low-income children. Only 18% of child DS users took DS based on a health practitioner’s recommendation. In conclusion, DS use was lower among children who were in low-income or food-insecure families, or families participating in nutrition assistance programs.

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.

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