Caregiver Experiences With an Innovative Farmers’ Market Incentive Program for Children in Flint, Michigan

An innovative farmers’ market incentive program designed specifically for children was implemented to address persistent challenges with accessing fresh, nutrient-rich foods in a food desert community. The current study sought to qualitatively examine caregiver perceptions of the incentive program. Following distribution of farmers’ market incentives to all children (ages 0 to 15 years) at 43 Flint-area early childcare facilities and elementary schools, researchers conducted semistructured interviews with 37 caregivers (mean age = 39.59 ± 11.73 years). The majority were female (87%) and African American (53%). Through these interviews, researchers explored family experiences with the farmers’ market incentive program, as well as changes in environmental factors that may have resulted from program participation. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim for textual analysis. Thematic analysis was used to identify patterns across transcripts and formulate emerging themes. Four recurrent themes emerged during interviews: (1) fruit and vegetable access, (2) child influence, (3) autonomous grocery shopping, and (4) program expansion. Interview participants indicated that the farmers’ market incentive program was an effective tool to both encourage families to visit the farmers’ market and purchase fresh foods there. Program design, particularly distribution to children, was credited with introducing families to the local farmers’ market. The current study suggests that a farmers’ market incentive program targeting children who reside in a food desert community may have meaningful impacts on access to fresh, nutrient-rich foods.

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Comparing food desert residents with non-food desert residents on grocery shopping behaviours, diet and BMI: results from a propensity score analysis

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s136898001900363x ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 23 (5) ◽

pp. 806-811

Author(s):

Rebecca C Woodruff ◽

Regine Haardörfer ◽

Ilana G Raskind ◽

April Hermstad ◽

Michelle C Kegler

Keyword(s):

Propensity Score Analysis ◽

Grocery Store ◽

Food Desert ◽

Dietary Behaviour ◽

Grocery Shopping ◽

Healthy Foods ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Perceived Access ◽

Access To Healthy Foods

AbstractObjective:To determine whether residence in a US Department of Agriculture-designated food desert is associated with perceived access to healthy foods, grocery shopping behaviours, diet and BMI among a national sample of primary food shoppers.Design:Data for the present study came from a self-administered cross-sectional survey administered in 2015. Residential addresses of respondents were geocoded to determine whether their census tract of residence was a designated food desert or not. Inverse probability of treatment-weighted regression was used to assess whether residence in a food desert was associated with dependent variables of interest.Setting:USA.Participants:Of 4942 adult survey respondents, residential addresses of 75·0 % (n 3705) primary food shoppers were included in the analysis.Results:Residence in a food desert (11·1 %, n 411) was not significantly associated with perceived access to healthy foods, most grocery shopping behaviours or dietary behaviour, but was significantly associated with primarily shopping at a superstore or supercentre v. a large grocery store (OR = 1·32; 95 % CI 1·02, 1·71; P = 0·03) and higher BMI (b = 1·14; 95 % CI 0·36, 1·93; P = 0·004).Conclusions:Results suggest that food desert residents shop at different food stores and have higher BMI than non-food desert residents.

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Cultivating Healthy Communities - Development, Implementation, and Evaluation of a 12-week Farmers' Market Nutrition Education and Incentive Program in Rural, Appalachian Mississippi for Improving Health

Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics ◽

10.1016/j.jand.2017.06.015 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 117 (9) ◽

pp. A75

Author(s):

D. Holben ◽

J. Jamieson ◽

H. Poole

Keyword(s):

Nutrition Education ◽

Farmers Market ◽

Healthy Communities ◽

Incentive Program

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What Characteristics Define Participants of Michigan’s Healthy Food Incentive Program?

Journal of Planning Education and Research ◽

10.1177/0739456x18772081 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 40 (4) ◽

pp. 372-378 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Courtney A. Parks ◽

Lara J. Jaskiewicz ◽

Rachael D. Dombrowski ◽

Hollyanne E. Fricke ◽

Sarah B. Hortman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Impact ◽

Healthy Food ◽

Grocery Store ◽

Farmers Markets ◽

Grocery Stores ◽

Diverse Populations ◽

Farmers Market ◽

Market Participants ◽

Incentive Programs ◽

Incentive Program

To characterize participants of a statewide healthy food incentive program in terms of shopping behaviors, surveys were collected at farmers markets (N = 436) and grocery stores (N = 131). Farmers market and grocery store respondents were mostly forty-five to fifty-four years old (21 percent to 24 percent) and female (72 to 82 percent). Grocery store respondents were more diverse. Farmers market participants were more likely to be female ( p = .011), not have children ( p = .006), and traveled further compared to grocery store participants. As healthy food incentive programs expand, participant characteristics should inform tailored outreach to expand to diverse populations to have a greater public health impact.

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Adolescents’ Perceptions of a Gardening Activity at a Juvenile Justice Center

Journal of Holistic Nursing ◽

10.1177/0898010117707865 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 36 (2) ◽

pp. 170-178 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Frances Hardin-Fanning ◽

Adebola O. Adegboyega ◽

Mary Kay Rayens

Keyword(s):

Juvenile Justice ◽

Farmers Markets ◽

Delayed Gratification ◽

Experience Design ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Farmers Market ◽

Item Questionnaire ◽

Past Exposure ◽

At Risk Adolescents ◽

Local Farmers

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to elicit participants’ ( N = 16) perceptions of a gardening activity at a juvenile justice center and to determine whether past exposure to gardening and farmers markets was associated with their perceptions of the gardening experience. Design: This cross-sectional, exploratory program evaluation was conducted in partnership with the Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice. Adolescents completing the Cadet Leadership and Education Program participated in gardening in order to provide produce to a local farmers’ market. Method: After the growing season, participants were asked to complete a nine-item questionnaire about the gardening activity during one of their usual classes at the facility. The questionnaire assessed perception of the experience and past exposure to gardening and farmers’ markets. Findings: Participants reported favorably about their participation in the activity, knowledge gained from the activity, and their intent to garden in the future. Those who had previously gardened had more favorable perception of gardening than those who had never gardened. Gardening is an inexpensive means of teaching teamwork and delayed gratification and providing a sense of empowerment and may benefit at-risk adolescents during incarceration.

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Utilization of the California Nutrition Incentive Program Among CalFresh Shoppers and Its Association with Food Security Status (P04-010-19)

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzz051.p04-010-19 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

Sridharshi Hewawitharana ◽

Ron Strochlic ◽

Wendi Gosliner

Keyword(s):

Food Security ◽

Farmers Markets ◽

California Department ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Farmers Market ◽

Lower Odds ◽

Incentive Program ◽

Food Security Status ◽

The Impact

Abstract Objectives This evaluation aimed to examine whether utilization of the California Nutrition Incentive Program (CNIP) by California CalFresh farmers’ market shoppers was associated with food security. Methods CNIP aims to increase the ability of CalFresh shoppers to make healthy food choices by providing a dollar-for-dollar match, up to a market-specific maximum, for CalFresh benefits used to purchase FV at participating farmers’ markets. In this cross-sectional evaluation CalFresh shoppers were interviewed at a convenience sample of farmers’ markets that did not participate in CNIP (comparison group) and those that provided match incentives up to $10 or $20. Food security status was assessed using questions from the US Department of Agriculture's validated 6-item food security module. Regression models adjusting for demographic characteristics and clustering by market were used to assess the association between use of CNIP incentives and food security. Results A total of 192 CalFresh shoppers were recruited from 10 farmers’ markets throughout California. CalFresh shoppers who used CNIP incentives had significantly lower odds of cutting the size of or skipping meals due to insufficient money for food and significantly lower odds of not eating when hungry because there wasn't enough money for food compared to CalFresh shoppers who did not use CNIP incentives, holding all other covariates constant. CalFresh shoppers who used CNIP incentives showed a non-significant increase in the odds of being more food secure overall as compared to CalFresh shoppers who did not use CNIP incentives. Conclusions Understanding the effect of CNIP on CalFresh shoppers’ food security has important implications for the further support and promotion of this program. The results of this evaluation suggest that CNIP may positively benefit certain aspects of participants’ food security, but more robust studies are needed to more fully assess the impact of this program. Funding Sources This evaluation was funded by the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

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Understanding Access to Healthy Foods and Grocery Shopping Patterns Among Community Residents in Underserved Neighborhoods in Tampa, Florida

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzaa043_045 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 194-194

Author(s):

Heewon Gray ◽

Jessica Berumen ◽

Sharonda Lovett ◽

David Himmelgreen ◽

Dipayan Biswas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Access ◽

South Florida ◽

Farmers Markets ◽

Grocery Stores ◽

Grocery Shopping ◽

Healthy Foods ◽

Community Partners ◽

Farmers Market ◽

Community Residents ◽

Access To Healthy Foods

Abstract Objectives It is widely accepted that low-income and racial/ethnic minority neighborhoods are disproportionately affected by diet-related adverse health outcomes. Access to healthy foods has also been shown to be a determinant of more optimal dietary intake and health. This study aimed to conduct a survey to examine grocery shopping patterns and food access among community residents in underserved neighborhoods; the study was conducted in partnership with community organizations. Methods A survey was administered cross-sectionally. Twenty-seven questions adapted from previous research regarding grocery shopping patterns and food access were included. Community residents aged ≥18 years in East Tampa, a designated Florida Community Redevelopment Area (CRA), were recruited at community events/meetings, and an online version of the survey was distributed through the email listserv of community partners. A total of 126 residents participated; the majority was African American, female, and ≥35 years of age. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. GIS mapping was subsequently used to examine the residents’ accessibility to grocery stores within the neighborhoods. Results The majority (58%) of the participants reported that they usually buy most of their groceries at supermarkets, followed by large chain stores (41%), farmers markets (11%), and discount stores (10%). There were 4 major stores in the neighborhoods identified as preferred grocery stores. Most participants indicated that they use cash (52%) or EBT card (30%) for grocery shopping, and 33% regularly get food from food pantries. Most residents use their own cars (76%) for transportation and indicated that it takes ≤30 minutes (87%) to get their groceries. Ninety participants (71%) indicated that a new supermarket nearby would help them get food easier, followed by a new farmers market. In an open-ended question, some reported that mobile food trucks or delivery services would make it easier to get the foods. A specific location for a new supermarket was identified by each participant. Conclusions Community residents demanded a new supermarket or farmers market with better variety of fresh produce. The results of this study have been discussed with the community partners and the CRA advisory committee. Funding Sources University of South Florida, College of Public Health Internal Faculty Awards.

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Patient and pediatric caregiver experiences and expectations about opioid risk education and counselling

Journal of Opioid Management ◽

10.5055/jom.2020.0573 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 16 (3) ◽

pp. 227-232

Author(s):

Tanvee Thakur, BPharm, MS ◽

Betty Chewning, PhD

Keyword(s):

Content Analysis ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Research Training ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Patient Centered ◽

Semistructured Interviews ◽

Risk Education ◽

Caregiver Experiences ◽

Perceptions And Expectations ◽

Unique Study

Objective: This pilot study seeks to explore patient and caregiver experiences, perceptions, and expectations about opioid risk counselling.Design: Semistructured interviews were conducted in Madison, WI. Inductive content analysis was used for analysis.Participants: Adult patients and pediatric caregivers for patients prescribed opioids in the last 30 days.Outcome measure: Patient’s experiences, perceptions, and expectations about opioid risk and safety counselling.Results: Two out of 16 patients were reported being counseled about risks, and only one patient was told about medication being an opioid. Respondents expressed their desire to learn about dependency and overdose risks and the fact that the medication is an opioid. While patients wanted to be educated by all healthcare providers, pharmacists were deemed most important for opioid risk counseling.Conclusion: This unique study points out the need for more research, training, and resources for aligning opioid risk counselling and education with patient expectations as a patient centered effort.

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