scholarly journals Racial/Ethnic Differences in the Shopping Behaviors and Fruit and Vegetable Consumption of Farmers’ Market Incentive Program Users in Illinois

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-118
Author(s):  
Chelsea R. Singleton ◽  
Nicollette Kessee ◽  
Corey Chatman ◽  
Connie Spreen

Introduction: Farmers’ market incentive programs, such as Link Match, provide monetary incentives to Supplemental Nutri­tion Assistance Program (SNAP) participants to promote their use of local farmers’ markets. Information on racial/ethnic differ­ences in the shopping behaviors and fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption of farmers’ market incentive program users is scarce. This research aimed to address this need by examining users of the Link Match incentive program in Illinois.Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 328 Link Match users (39.6% non-Hispanic White; 45.4% non-Hispanic Black; and 15.0% other) was conducted in 2016 and 2017. Information on each participant’s demographics, farmers’ market shopping behaviors, and monthly frequency of FV consumption was collected from Link Match users. Chi-square and ANOVA tests were used to assess differences in farmers’ market shopping measures by race/ethnicity. Logis­tic regression models were used to examine the association between race/ethnicity and frequency of FV consumption.Results: A significantly higher percentage of non-Hispanic Black participants reported being an infrequent farmers’ market user (ie, shopping ≤ once a month) compared with non-Hispanic White and other partici­pants (P=.01). After adjusting for covariates, non-Hispanic Black participants had lower odds of consuming fruit daily (OR: .44; 95% CI:.22-.86) compared with non-Hispanic White participants. Other participants had lower odds of consuming both fruit and veg­etables compared with non-Hispanic White participants (OR: .30; 95% CI:.12-.71).Conclusions: Differences in shopping behaviors and FV consumption were ob­served by race/ethnicity among Link Match users. Future research should examine the nutritional implications of these differences. Ethn Dis.2020;30(1):109-118; doi:10.18865/ed.30.1.109

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sridharshi Hewawitharana ◽  
Ron Strochlic ◽  
Wendi Gosliner

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.


2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (15) ◽  
pp. 2712-2721 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren EW Olsho ◽  
Gayle Holmes Payne ◽  
Deborah Klein Walker ◽  
Sabrina Baronberg ◽  
Jan Jernigan ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveThe present study examines the impact of Health Bucks, a farmers’ market incentive programme, on awareness of and access to farmers’ markets, and fruit and vegetable purchase and consumption in low-income New York City neighbourhoods.DesignThe evaluation used two primary data collection methods: (i) an on-site point-of-purchase survey of farmers’ market shoppers; and (ii) a random-digit-dial telephone survey of residents in neighbourhoods where the programme operates. Additionally, we conducted a quasi-experimental analysis examining differential time trends in consumption before and after programme introduction using secondary Community Health Survey (CHS) data.SettingNew York City farmers’ markets and communities.SubjectsFarmers’ market shoppers (n 2287) completing point-of-purchase surveys in a representative sample of New York City farmers’ markets in 2010; residents (n 1025) completing random-digit-dial telephone survey interviews in 2010; and respondents (n 35 606) completing CHS interviews in 2002, 2004, 2008 and 2009.ResultsGreater Health Bucks exposure was associated with: (i) greater awareness of farmers’ markets; (ii) increased frequency and amount of farmers’ market purchases; and (iii) greater likelihood of a self-reported year-over-year increase in fruit and vegetable consumption. However, our CHS analysis did not detect impacts on consumption.ConclusionsWhile our study provides promising evidence that use of farmers’ market incentives is associated with increased awareness and use of farmers’ markets, additional research is needed to better understand impacts on fruit and vegetable consumption.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 141-141
Author(s):  
Sara John ◽  
Gabrielle Rivera ◽  
Sean Cash ◽  
Christina Economos ◽  
Eric Rimm ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives Greater number and increased frequency of farmers’ markets are an important strategy to improve community-level diet quality by increasing fruit and vegetable availability, yet fall short of addressing health disparities due to a predominantly affluent, white clientele. Introducing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) financial incentives at farmers’ markets increases patronage and sales amongst people with economic disadvantage, however SNAP participant incentive program awareness and farmers’ market sales remain low. This study examined whether a digital campaign promoting SNAP incentive programs increases farmers’ market SNAP participation. Methods This study was a parallel RCT, with randomization of zip codes to receive (a) digital promotions or (b) no additional promotions. The study sample included target zip codes (n = 96) near New England farmers’ markets with SNAP incentive programs (n = 23). The intervention was a 13-week campaign, placing digital ads on Facebook and the Fresh EBT app promoting SNAP incentive program savings at farmers’ markets. The study measured farmers’ market SNAP shopping patterns and sales as well as digital campaign delivery and engagement. Data were collected July 1 – September 30, 2020. Results The digital campaign reached 251,966 people, generated 2 million impressions, and resulted in 12,849 clicks. During Summer 2020, zip codes randomized to receive digital promotions had 33.1 SNAP transactions (SE: 6.9) and control zip codes had 18.1 transactions (SE: 4.3), or 82% more transactions associated with promotions (P = 0.068). There were also more new customers from promotion zip codes (10.8 [SE = 2.5] customers) than control zip codes (5.7 [SE = 1.4] customers), or 90% more new customers (P = 0.075). SNAP and incentive sales were higher from promotion zip codes ($1392 [SE: $306]) than control zip codes ($949 [SE: $273]), or 47% greater (P = 0.284), but sales differences were not statistically significant unless controlling for Summer 2019 farmers’ market sales. Conclusions Digital SNAP incentive program promotions can increase farmers’ market SNAP participation, the primary study outcome, leveraging SNAP to expand farmers’ market reach and associated nutrition benefit to historically marginalized populations. Funding Sources USDA Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentives Program.


2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 1345-1349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chelsea R Singleton ◽  
Sydney Fouché ◽  
Rucha Deshpande ◽  
Angela Odoms-Young ◽  
Corey Chatman ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectivePrevious research indicates that low-income individuals often struggle to consume the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables (F&V). LINK Up Illinois is a farmers’ market incentive programme that aims to increase F&V consumption among Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients by improving access to and affordability of locally grown foods. The present research aimed to identify barriers to F&V consumption that exist among users of the LINK Up Illinois programme.DesignCross-sectional.SettingFarmers’ markets in Chicago, Springfield, Northbrook, Woodstock, Aurora and Urbana, IL.SubjectsIn 2016, a volunteer sample of 140 LINK Up Illinois users (mean age 42·5 years; 81·7 % female; 28·7 % African American; 44·0 % obese) completed a survey at participating farmers’ markets across the state. Information on demographics, food shopping behaviours, programme satisfaction, barriers to F&V consumption and frequency of F&V consumption was collected and examined.ResultsApproximately 23 % of survey participants reported consuming F&V ≥3 times/d. The barriers to F&V consumption most often reported by survey participants were the cost of F&V (29·5 %), spoilage (18·6 %), knowing how to cook F&V (8·7 %) and not thinking about F&V when hungry (8·6 %). Results from multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models suggested that reporting one or more barriers was associated with reduced odds of consuming vegetables ≥3 times/d, but not fruits.ConclusionsCost, spoilage and knowledge of cooking are key barriers to F&V consumption that exist among LINK Up Illinois users. Strategies are needed to mitigate these barriers and increase F&V consumption in this population.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Casey J. Kelley ◽  
Karla L. Hanson ◽  
Grace A. Marshall ◽  
Leah C. Volpe ◽  
Stephanie Jilcott Pitts ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective: To examine cross-sectional associations between farmers’ market shopping behaviors and objectively measured and self-reported fruit and vegetable (FV) intake among rural North Carolina (NC) and New York City (NYC) shoppers. Design: Cross-sectional intercept surveys were used to assess self-reported FV intake and three measures of farmers’ market shopping behavior: (1) frequency of purchasing FV, (2) variety of FV purchased, and (3) dollars spent on FV. Skin carotenoids, a non-invasive biomarker for FV intake, were objectively measured using pressure-mediated reflection spectroscopy. Associations between farmers’ market shopping behaviors and FV intake were examined using regression models that controlled for demographic variables (e.g., age, sex, race, smoking status, education, income, and state). Setting: Farmers’ markets (n=17 markets) in rural NC and NYC. Participants: A convenience sample of 645 farmers’ market shoppers. Results: Farmers’ market shoppers in NYC purchased a greater variety of FV and had higher skin carotenoid scores compared to shoppers in rural NC. Among all shoppers, there was a positive, statistically significant association between self-reported frequency of shopping at farmers’ markets and self-reported as well as objectively assessed FV intake. The variety of FV purchased and farmers’ market spending on FV also were positively associated with self-reported FV intake, but not skin carotenoids. Conclusion: Those who shop for FV more frequently at a farmers’ markets, purchase a greater variety of FV, and spend more money on FV have higher self-reported, and in some cases higher objectively measured FV intake. Further research is needed to understand these associations and test causality.


2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 325-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chelsea R. Singleton ◽  
William Opoku-Agyeman ◽  
Ermanno Affuso ◽  
Monica L. Baskin ◽  
Emily B. Levitan ◽  
...  

Purpose: To examine cash value voucher (CVV) redemption behavior and its association with fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption among women who participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Jefferson County, Alabama. Participants: Between October 2014 and January 2015, 300 women (mean age: 27.6 years; 66.8% non-Hispanic black; 45.1% obese) who participated in the Birmingham WIC program were surveyed. Measures: Self-reported information on demographics, produce shopping behaviors, and residential access to fresh produce retailers (eg, supermarkets and farmers markets) was examined. Fruit and vegetable intake was collected via the Block Fruit–Vegetable–Fiber screener. Participants who self-reported redeeming the WIC CVV in each of the 3 prior months were classified as regular redeemers. Analysis: Multivariable-adjusted regression models were used to examine associations between variables of interest and regular WIC CVV redemption. Results: There were 189 (63.0%) study participants classified as regular WIC CVV redeemers. Regular redeemers and other participants (ie, irregular redeemers and nonredeemers) were similar with respect to demographics. Regular redeemers were more likely to use grocery stores to purchase FVs ( P = .003) and consumed significantly more servings of FVs per day (β = .67; standard error = 0.24; P = .007). Conclusion: Regular WIC CVV redemption was associated with some produce shopping behaviors and increased FV consumption and among WIC participants in Jefferson County, Alabama.


2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e18556-e18556
Author(s):  
Robert Brooks Hines ◽  
Asal Johnson ◽  
Eunkyung Lee ◽  
Stephanie Erickson ◽  
Saleh M.M. Rahman

e18556 Background: Considerable efforts to improve disparities in breast cancer outcomes for underserved women have occurred over the past 3 decades. This study was conducted to evaluate trends in survival, by race-ethnicity, for women diagnosed with breast cancer in Florida over a 26-year period to assess potential improvement in racial-ethnic disparities. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in Florida between 1990-2015. Data were obtained from the Florida Cancer Data System. Women in the study were categorized according to race (white/black) and Hispanic ethnicity (yes/no) as non-Hispanic white (NHW), non-Hispanic black (NHB), Hispanic white (HW), and Hispanic black (HB). Cumulative incidence estimates of 5- and 10-year breast cancer death with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were obtained by race-ethnicity, according to diagnosis year. Subdistribution hazard models were used to obtain subdistribution hazard ratios (sHR) for the relative rate of breast cancer death accounting for competing causes. Results: Compared to NHW women, minority women were more likely to be younger, be uninsured or have Medicaid as health insurance, live in high poverty neighborhoods, have more advanced disease at diagnosis, have high grade tumors, have hormone receptor negative tumors, and receive chemotherapy as treatment. Minority women were less likely to receive surgery. Over the course of the study, breast cancer mortality decreased for all racial-ethnic groups, and racial-ethnic minorities had greater absolute and relative improvement in breast cancer survival for nearly all metrics compared to non-Hispanic white (NHW) women. However, for the most recent time period (2010-2015), black women still experienced significant survival disparities with non-Hispanic black (NHB) women having twice the rate of 5-year (sHR = 2.04: 95% CI; 1.91-2.19) and 10-year (sHR = 2.02: 95% CI; 1.89-2.16) breast cancer death. Conclusions: Despite efforts to improve disparities in breast cancer outcomes for underserved women in Florida, additional targeted approaches are needed to reduce the poorer survival in black (especially NHB) women. Our next step is to conduct a mediation analysis of the most important factors driving racial/ethnic disparities in breast cancer outcomes for women in Florida.


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