scholarly journals Nutritional quality of retail food purchases is not associated with participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for nutrition-oriented households

PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. e0240263
Author(s):  
Yu Chen ◽  
Biing‐Hwan Lin ◽  
Lisa Mancino ◽  
Michele Ver Ploeg ◽  
Chen Zhen
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Nutritional Quality ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ◽  
Healthy Foods ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Food Purchases ◽  
Quality Of Food ◽  
Nutrition Assistance

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides millions of low-income Americans food benefits and other forms of nutrition assistance. Evidence indicates that SNAP reduces food insecurity. However, there is a concern that the food benefit may increase the demand for less healthy foods more than healthier foods, thereby reducing the overall nutritional quality of the participant’s food basket. This paper aims to examine the association of SNAP participation with the nutritional quality of food-at-home purchases of low-income households and to investigate the potential heterogeneity among consumers with different levels of nutrition attitude. This analysis used food purchase data from the USDA National Household Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey (FoodAPS). Our study sample included 2,218 low-income households, of which 1,184 are SNAP participants, and 1,034 are income-eligible nonparticipants. Multivariate regressions were performed to explore the SNAP-nutritional quality association. A household’s nutrition attitude was measured using its response to a question on whether the household searched for nutrition information online in the last 2 months. Households that affirmed they had an online nutrition search were treated as nutrition-oriented households (21.2% of the low-income sample), and households that did not were considered less nutrition-oriented households (78.8%). For robustness, we also created an alternative nutrition attitude measure based on reported use of the nutrition facts label. We found that among less nutrition-oriented households, SNAP participants had a statistically significant 0.097 points (p = 0.018) lower Guiding Stars rating than low-income nonparticipants. However, there was no significant SNAP-nutritional quality association among nutrition-oriented households. In conclusion, SNAP participation was associated with lower nutritional quality of food purchases among less nutrition-oriented households, but not among nutrition-oriented households. The results suggest that the intended nutritional benefits of restrictions on purchases of healthy foods may not reach the subgroup of nutrition-oriented SNAP participants.

scholarly journals Strategies to improve the dietary quality of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) beneficiaries: an assessment of stakeholder opinions

2013 ◽  
Vol 17 (12) ◽  
pp. 2824-2833 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan J Blumenthal ◽  
Elena E Hoffnagle ◽  
Cindy W Leung ◽  
Hayley Lofink ◽  
Helen H Jensen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ◽  
Dietary Quality ◽  
Monetary Incentives ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Health Goals ◽  
National Public Health ◽  
Nutrition Assistance

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the opinions of stakeholders on strategies to improve dietary quality of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants.DesignParticipants answered a thirty-eight-item web-based survey assessing opinions and perceptions of SNAP and programme policy changes.SettingUSA.SubjectsSurvey of 522 individuals with stakeholder interest in SNAP, conducted in October through December 2011.ResultsThe top three barriers to improving dietary quality identified were: (i) unhealthy foods marketed in low-income communities; (ii) the high cost of healthy foods; and (iii) lifestyle challenges faced by low-income individuals. Many respondents (70 %) also disagreed that current SNAP benefit levels were adequate to maintain a healthy diet. Stakeholders believed that vouchers, coupons or monetary incentives for purchasing healthful foods might have the greatest potential for improving the diets of SNAP participants. Many respondents (78 %) agreed that sodas should not be eligible for purchases with SNAP benefits. More than half (55 %) believed retailers could easily implement such restrictions. A majority of respondents (58 %) agreed that stores should stock a minimum quantity of healthful foods in order to be certified as a SNAP retailer, and most respondents (83 %) believed that the US Department of Agriculture should collect data on the foods purchased with SNAP benefits.ConclusionsResults suggest that there is broad stakeholder support for policies that align SNAP purchase eligibility with national public health goals of reducing food insecurity, improving nutrition and preventing obesity.

scholarly journals Access to Healthier Foods for Idaho Local Food Pantries

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 212-212
Author(s):  
Shelly Johnson ◽  
Kali Gardiner ◽  
Annie Roe
Keyword(s):  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ◽  
Healthy Foods ◽  
Food Bank ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Nutrition Assistance

Abstract Objectives For many struggling with poverty, consuming a nutritious diet while managing an existing chronic condition can be extremely challenging. Often times food bank/pantries offer an emergency resource to help promote health to families in need, however, many of them lack healthy foods to improve nutrition, health and well-being. In Idaho's Kootenai County, over 35,000 people are food insecure, 13.1% of the population with over 6000 of them being children, 17.1% of the population. University Of Idaho Extension Eat Smart Idaho program, with funding from USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education and the Department of Health and Welfare, have created their Healthy Food Bank/Pantry Protocol and Healthy Food Drive Protocol to help mesh our food bank network with healthier food options and give access to healthier foods to our low income families. Methods Eat Smart Idaho's goal is to move as many pantries towards the “choice” model as well as “MyPlate” pantries that will allow nutrition education through signage, demonstrations, recipes and classes. Additionally, a protocol has been written for healthy food drives with the goal of reaching as many individuals with this education as possible. In the last two years, FY2017–2019, the Eat Smart Idaho program serving Kootenai County assisted with over 20 healthy food drives. The Post Falls School District Annual Food Drive which supports the Post Falls Food Bank was a particular success in 2019. This food drive included 7 elementary schools who challenged each other to donate the most food. In 2019, schools were also rewarded for bringing in the most healthy food donations. The Eat Smart Idaho team provided nutrition education assemblies and classroom presentations on how to donate healthy. Healthy food donation lists were also created, as well as displays set up at school locations. Results Ponderosa Elementary received the Eat Smart Idaho Award for donating the most healthy food, additionally, students wrote essays about the importance of donating healthy foods to families in need. The Post Falls Food Drive collected over 10,000 pounds of food and $1700 in monetary donations. Conclusions Providing nutrition education and healthy donation lists serve as a model for managing a healthy food drive, particularly, in the school setting. Funding Sources Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - Education.

scholarly journals Dietary intake and dietary quality of low-income adults in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

2012 ◽  
Vol 96 (5) ◽  
pp. 977-988 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cindy W Leung ◽  
Eric L Ding ◽  
Paul J Catalano ◽  
Eduardo Villamor ◽  
Eric B Rimm ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ◽  
Dietary Quality ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Nutrition Assistance

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.

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