Evaluating the Implementation of a Farmers’ Market Targeting WIC FMNP Participants

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 946-956 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lanae Ball ◽  
Amy McCauley ◽  
Tracey Paul ◽  
Kenneth Gruber ◽  
Lauren Haldeman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Implementation Process ◽  
Community Based Participatory Research ◽  
Nutrition Program ◽  
Farmers Market ◽  
Program Administrators ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Coupon Redemption ◽  
Local Farmers

The present study planned and implemented a new farmers’ market (FM) at a WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) clinic in North Carolina, of which WIC FM Nutrition Program (FMNP) participants were the main priority population. The purpose of this FM was to provide convenience and improve access to locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables in the community and to increase the FMNP coupon redemption rate. The main objective of this study was to describe the overall process and key strategies involved in implementing a FM at a WIC clinic. A community-based participatory research design using different formative methods documented the process and key inputs in FM implementation. Local farmers, program administrators, and community advocates were involved in documenting the implementation process. Multiple formative methods included direct observation and semistructured interviews with staff and farmers (n = 13). A community partnership was key in implementing the FM. The market operated weekly over the course of 24 weeks, involved 12 WIC-approved farmers, and featured over 50 types of fresh fruits and vegetables. The FMNP coupon redemption rate at the county level increased from 51.3% to 62.9%. The results demonstrate that a FM can be successfully located near a WIC clinic with positive effects of increasing availability to fresh fruits and vegetables for a low-income population and revenue for local farmers.

scholarly journals Caregiver perceptions of a fruit and vegetable prescription programme for low-income paediatric patients

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (13) ◽  
pp. 2497-2506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Saxe-Custack ◽  
Heather Claire Lofton ◽  
Mona Hanna-Attisha ◽  
Colleen Victor ◽  
Gwendolyn Reyes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Good Health ◽  
Social Environments ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Farmers Market ◽  
Data Saturation ◽  
Perceived Impact

AbstractObjectiveThe physical and social environments that surround children should support good health. However, challenges with food security and access prevent many children from consuming a healthy diet, which is critical to proper growth and development. The present study sought to gain a better understanding of primary care initiatives to address these issues in a low-income setting.DesignFollowing the relocation of a paediatric clinic to a farmers’ market building and the implementation of a fruit and vegetable prescription programme, researchers conducted thirty-two semi-structured interviews with caregivers. Researchers elicited caregivers’ perceptions of clinic co-location with the farmers’ market; experiences with the prescription programme; opinions of the farmers’ market; and perceived impact on child consumption of fresh produce. Interview recordings were transcribed for textual analysis. Using thematic analysis, researchers examined qualitative data to identify patterns across transcripts and formulate emerging themes. Researchers concluded when data saturation was reached.SettingFlint, Michigan, USA.SubjectsThe majority of participants were female (91 %) and African American (53 %).ResultsFour recurrent themes emerged during interviews: (i) convenience of relocation; (ii) attitude towards prescription programme; (iii) challenges with implementation; and (iv) perceived impact of combined interventions. Caregivers indicated that the co-location and prescription programme increased family shopping at the farmers’ market, improved access to high-quality produce and improved food security.ConclusionsA fruit and vegetable prescription programme involving a partnership between a farmers’ market and paediatric clinic was perceived as effective in improving food security, food access and child consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables.

scholarly journals Factors associated with continued participation in a matched monetary incentive programme at local farmers’ markets in low-income neighbourhoods in San Diego, California

2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (15) ◽  
pp. 2786-2795 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda R Ratigan ◽  
Suzanne Lindsay ◽  
Hector Lemus ◽  
Christina D Chambers ◽  
Cheryl AM Anderson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diet Quality ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Pacific Islander ◽  
Monetary Incentive ◽  
Farmers Markets ◽  
Farmers Market ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Asian Pacific Islander ◽  
Asian Pacific

AbstractObjectiveThe Farmers’ Market Fresh Fund Incentive Program is a policy, systems and environmental intervention to improve access to fresh produce for participants on governmental assistance in the USA. The current study examined factors associated with ongoing participation in this matched monetary incentive programme.DesignRelationship of baseline factors with number of Fresh Fund visits was assessed using Poisson regression. Mixed-effects modelling was used to explore changes in consumption of fruits and vegetables and diet quality.SettingSan Diego, California.SubjectsRecipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) who attended participating farmers’ markets from 2010 to 2012 (n 7298).ResultsAmong those with participation for ≤6 months, factors associated with increased visits included reporting more daily servings of fruits and vegetables (F&V) at baseline, being Vietnamese or Asian/Pacific Islander, and eligibility because of SNAP/CalFresh or SSI (v. WIC). Among those who came for 6–12 months, being Asian/Pacific Islander, eligibility because of SNAP/CalFresh and enrolling in the autumn, winter or spring were associated with a greater number of Fresh Fund visits. Among those who came for >12 months, being male and eligibility because of SSI were associated with a greater number of visits. Overall, the odds of increasing number of servings of F&V consumed increased by 2 % per month, and the odds of improved perception of diet quality increased by 10 % per month.ConclusionsSustaining and increasing Fresh Fund-type programme operations should be a top priority for future policy decisions concerning farmers’ market use in low-income neighbourhoods.

A Pilot Fruit and Vegetable Prescription (FVRx) Program Improves Local Fruit and Vegetable Consumption, Nutrition Knowledge, and Food Purchasing Practices

2021 ◽  
pp. 152483992110181
Author(s):  
Nicholas Slagel ◽  
Taylor Newman ◽  
Laurel Sanville ◽  
Jennifer Jo Thompson ◽  
Jackie Dallas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Safety Net ◽  
Nutrition Knowledge ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Farmers Market ◽  
Food Purchasing

Fruit and Vegetable Prescription (FVRx) programs rely on diverse community and clinic partnerships to improve food security and fruit and vegetable consumption among medically underserved patient populations. Despite the growth in these programs, little is known about the feasibility or effectiveness of the unique partnerships developed to implement FVRx programs conducted in both community and free safety-net clinic settings. A 6-month nonrandomized controlled trial of an FVRx program was pilot tested with 54 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)–eligible adults with diet-related chronic conditions. The intervention combined monthly produce prescriptions for local produce at a farmers market, SNAP-Ed direct nutrition education, and health screenings for low-income adults. Process and outcome evaluations were conducted with respective samples using administrative program data (recruitment, retention, and prescription redemption) and self-administered pre- and postintervention surveys with validated measures on dietary intake, nutrition knowledge and behavior, and food purchasing practices. Descriptive statistical analyses were conducted. The FVRx program retained 77.3% of participants who spent nearly 90% of their prescription dollars. After the intervention, the FVRx group reported significantly increased total intake of fruits and vegetables, knowledge of fresh fruit and vegetable preparation, purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables from a farmers market, and significantly altered food purchasing practices compared with the control group. Community-based nutrition education organizations enhance the feasibility and effectiveness of community and clinic-based FVRx programs for improving low-income adults’ ability to enhance food and nutrition-related behaviors.

scholarly journals Feasibility of a farm-to-WIC intervention

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (18) ◽  
pp. 3405-3415
Author(s):  
Jennifer Di Noia ◽  
Dorothy Monica ◽  
Alla Sikorskii ◽  
Karinna Gonzalez ◽  
Lina Abuhadba
Keyword(s):  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Implementation Fidelity ◽  
Farmers Markets ◽  
Programme Implementation ◽  
Nutrition Program ◽  
Farmers Market ◽  
Level Data ◽  
Communication And Coordination ◽  
Stakeholder Communication

AbstractObjective:To examine whether an intervention consisting of a WIC-based farmers’ market, nutrition education, recipe demonstrations and tastings, and handouts could be implemented as intended and the acceptability of the programme to recipients. The availability, variety and prices of fruits and vegetables (F&V) and the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program voucher redemption rate at the site with market (relative to the rate among fourteen other WIC agency sites) also were examined.Design:Site-level data were used to evaluate programme implementation. Acceptability was assessed with participant data.Setting:A large, New Jersey-based, urban WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) agency.Participants:Fifty-four women who purchased F&V at the market.Results:Gaps in stakeholder communication and coordination, F&V selling out by midday and staffing levels affected implementation fidelity. On average, 12 (sd 3) F&V were available daily at the market (twenty-five unique F&V in total). For thirteen of nineteen items, prices were lower at the WIC-based market than area farmers’ markets. The voucher redemption rate at the site with the market (46 %) was higher than the rate among the fourteen other sites (39 %; P < 0·01). The mean rating of satisfaction with the programme was 6·9 (sd 0·6) on a 7-point scale. All participants reported intending to purchase F&V again at the market, owing to the convenient location, quality of the F&V and helpfulness of the staff. Improving F&V availability and variety were recommended.Conclusions:The intervention is feasible with improved stakeholder communication and coordination, F&V availability and variety, and staffing.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the Farmers’ Markets for Kids programme

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (18) ◽  
pp. 3397-3405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Dannefer ◽  
Erica Bryan ◽  
Alyce Osborne ◽  
Rachel Sacks
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Education Programme ◽  
Farmers Markets ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Farmers Market ◽  
The Impact

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the impact of Farmers’ Markets for Kids, a farmers’ market-based, child-oriented nutrition education programme, on attitudes and behaviours related to preparing and consuming produce among child participants and their caregivers in New York City (NYC).DesignRetrospective pre-test/post-test cross-sectional survey with caregivers of children participating in Farmers’ Markets for Kids classes.SettingFour NYC farmers’ markets where Farmers’ Markets for Kids classes are implemented; these markets serve low-income communities.SubjectsTwo hundred and twelve adult caregivers of children who participated in Farmers’ Markets for Kids classes.ResultsCaregivers reported that children’s consumption of fruits and vegetables had increased since participating in Farmers’ Markets for Kids and that their children more frequently assisted with food preparation; both of these improvements were statistically significant. Caregivers also reported significant improvements in attitudes: since participating in Farmers’ Markets for Kids, their children were more willing to try new fruits and vegetables and caregivers found it easier to prepare fruits and vegetables for their children. Almost all respondents (99 %) reported purchasing more fruits and vegetables since participating in Farmers’ Markets for Kids and 95 % had prepared the programme’s recipes at home.ConclusionsFindings suggest that Farmers’ Markets for Kids may be an effective approach for increasing produce consumption among participating children and improving related attitudes among children and caregivers. This evaluation provides support for future efforts to undertake more rigorous evaluations of such programmes.

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