scholarly journals Perceptions of the Food Environment and Access among Predominantly Black Low-Income Residents of Rural Louisiana Communities

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (15) ◽  
pp. 5340
Author(s):  
Denise Holston ◽  
Jessica Stroope ◽  
Matthew Greene ◽  
Bailey Houghtaling
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Food Environment ◽  
Food Access ◽  
The United States ◽  
Grocery Store ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Nutrition Assistance

Food insecurity in rural settings is complex and not fully understood, especially from the perspective of low-income and Black residents. The goal of this study was to use qualitative methods to better understand experiences with food access and perceptions of the food environment among low-income, predominately Black rural Louisiana residents in the United States. Data were collected from focus group discussions (FGD) and focus group intake forms. Study participants were all rural residents eligible to receive at least one nutrition assistance program. FGD questions focused on perceptions of the food environment, with an emphasis on food access. Participants (n = 44) were predominately Black and female. Over half (n = 25) reported running out of food before the end of the month. Major themes included: store choice, outshopping, methods of acquiring foods other than the grocery store, and food insecurity. Concerns around price, quality, and transportation emerged as factors negatively impacting food security. Understanding residents’ perceptions and experiences is necessary to inform contextually appropriate and feasible policy and practice interventions that address the physical environment and social conditions that shape the broader physical food environment in order to achieve equitable food access and food security.

scholarly journals Effect of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program–Education (SNAP-Ed) on food security and dietary outcomes

2019 ◽  
Vol 77 (12) ◽  
pp. 903-921 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca L Rivera ◽  
Melissa K Maulding ◽  
Heather A Eicher-Miller
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Low Income ◽  
The United States ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Nutrition Assistance ◽  
Study Designs

AbstractThe Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program–Education (SNAP-Ed) is the nutrition promotion component of SNAP, formerly known as food stamps. SNAP-Ed assists low-income populations in the United States improve dietary intake and reduce food insecurity through nutrition education. This narrative review summarizes current investigations of SNAP-Ed’s effectiveness at improving food security and dietary outcomes, and it can help inform future policy and implementation of the program. There was stronger evidence for SNAP-Ed as an effective means of improving food security (n = 4 reports) than for its effects on nutrition or dietary outcomes (n = 10 reports). Inconsistency in measurement tools and outcomes and a lack of strong study designs characterized the studies that sought to evaluate the effectiveness of SNAP-Ed at improving nutrition or dietary outcomes. Additional rigorous study designs in diverse population groups are needed to strengthen the evidence. In the face of reduced financial SNAP benefits, SNAP-Ed may play an important role in helping to eliminate food insecurity and improve dietary outcomes and, ultimately, the health of low-income Americans.

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.

scholarly journals Food Insecurity in a Low-Income, Predominantly African American Cohort Following the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 111 (3) ◽  
pp. 494-497
Author(s):  
Tamara Dubowitz ◽  
Madhumita Ghosh Dastidar ◽  
Wendy M. Troxel ◽  
Robin Beckman ◽  
Alvin Nugroho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
The United States ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ◽  
Food Bank ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Nutrition Assistance ◽  
National Trends ◽  
The Impact

Objectives. To examine the impact of COVID-19 shutdowns on food insecurity among a predominantly African American cohort residing in low-income racially isolated neighborhoods. Methods. Residents of 2 low-income African American food desert neighborhoods in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, were surveyed from March 23 to May 22, 2020, drawing on a longitudinal cohort (n = 605) previously followed from 2011 to 2018. We examined longitudinal trends in food insecurity from 2011 to 2020 and compared them with national trends. We also assessed use of food assistance in our sample in 2018 versus 2020. Results. From 2018 to 2020, food insecurity increased from 20.7% to 36.9% (t = 7.63; P < .001) after steady declines since 2011. As a result of COVID-19, the United States has experienced a 60% increase in food insecurity, whereas this sample showed a nearly 80% increase, widening a preexisting disparity. Participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (52.2%) and food bank use (35.9%) did not change significantly during the early weeks of the pandemic. Conclusions. Longitudinal data highlight profound inequities that have been exacerbated by COVID-19. Existing policies appear inadequate to address the widening gap.

Food Assistance Programs and Food Security

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig Gundersen
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
The United States ◽  
Food Assistance ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Food Assistance Programs ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Assistance Programs ◽  
Nutrition Assistance

Food insecurity is a leading public-health challenge in the United States today. This is primarily due to the magnitude of the problem—about 50 million persons are food insecure—and the serious negative health and other outcomes associated with being food insecure. This chapter first defines the measure used to delineate whether a household is food insecure. The measure, the Core Food Security Module (CFSM), is based on 18 questions about a household’s food situation. From the responses, a household is defined as food secure, low food secure, or very low food secure, with the latter two categories defined as “food insecure.” I next discuss the extent of food insecurity in the United States across various dimensions, the key determinants of food insecurity, and the multiple negative consequences associated with food insecurity. Two of the key policy tools used to address food insecurity are the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as the Food Stamp Program) and the National School Lunch Program. A brief overview and definition of the eligibility criteria for each program is provided along with a discussion of their respective impacts on food insecurity. This chapter concludes with four major current challenges pertaining to food insecurity and food assistance programs.

Perceived neighbourhood food environment and overweight and obesity among Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) participants in the Midwest US

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Bhagyashree Katare ◽  
Krystal Lynch ◽  
Dennis Savaiano
Keyword(s):  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Food Environment ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Grocery Store ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Nutrition Assistance

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the relationship between neighbourhood food environment perceptions and obesity among Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) or Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) participants. Design: A cross-sectional study conducted during SNAP-Ed or EFNEP programme participation in six states in the Midwest US between May 2016 and November 2017. Setting: Community centres, food pantries and other SNAP-Ed or EFNEP recruitment locations. Participants: Convenience sample of 1743 low-income, adult nutrition education programme participants. Results: Controlling for participant location and other demographic variables, those who perceived that a large selection of fruits and vegetables were available to them were 22 % less likely to be obese (adjusted odds ratio 0·78, 95 % CI 0·63, 0·97). In addition, participants who perceived the distance to the grocery store where they purchased most of their groceries to be greater than 5 miles were 1·36 times more likely to be overweight or obese than those who travelled shorter distances for their groceries. Conclusions: SNAP-Ed or EFNEP participants’ weight status may be associated with their perceptions of their neighbourhood food environments. Programmes incorporating nutrition education and food access initiatives should attempt to better understand participant perceptions in order to address barriers in their efforts and to ensure that healthy food is accessible to low-income residents.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Farmers Markets in Selected Counties in Washington State: an Analysis of Accessibility, Location, and Product Selection

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 728-728
Author(s):  
Samara Sullivan ◽  
June Kloubec ◽  
Alexandra Kazaks ◽  
Ekaterini Papadopoulou ◽  
Kara Bensley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Sense Of Community ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Food Access ◽  
Word Of Mouth ◽  
Farmers Markets ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Funding Sources ◽  
Food Security Status ◽  
Nutrition Assistance

Abstract Objectives Farmers markets (FM) may be able to bridge the gap between food insecurity (experienced by 12% of Washingtonians) and access to nutritionally sufficient foods by accepting programs such as supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits (SNAP) and Fresh Bucks (matching incentive program). These programs have potential to make FM produce affordable to all. This study intends to identify the perspectives of Washington (WA) FM shoppers regarding access, atmosphere, and prices and selection of produce at the FM. This research located WA FMs in low-income and low food access areas, and assessed activity and perspectives of populations using FMs. Methods Identified FMs in interest areas of WA using mapping tools (PolicyMap, USDA ERS data map). Shoppers at 16 FMs participated in public dot surveys using stickers to answer questions centered around awareness, access, and perspective of the market and the products offered by placing stickers on predetermined answers. Shoppers were asked to participate in an anonymous ballot survey (Likert scale) with more sensitive questions on perspectives of the market and the shoppers’ food security status. Results Sixteen FMs were identified in eleven cities in WA that accept SNAP benefits and are located in or near low food access and low-income areas of WA. At least 30 ballots were distributed at each market; the range of ballots returned was 9 to 36 ballots. Respondents were asked how they learned of the market in the dot survey: 35.6% responded “word of mouth,” 34.6% answered “drive/walk by,” and 10.5% learned via an advertisement. When asked if respondents had experience with food insecurity, 20% of respondents answered “yes.” Of this subpopulation, 45% perceived produce at FMs to be more expensive than produce at supermarkets and 81.7% reported feeling a sense of community at the FM. Conclusions Most respondents learned about the FM via word of mouth or by physically passing the market; lack of awareness of the FM may lead to a lack of access to the FM. Shoppers perceived FM products to be pricier than produce at conventional markets; however, FM shoppers with food insecurity experience still chose to shop at FMs and most of this subpopulation indicated feeling a sense of community at the FM. Funding Sources Supported by Bastyr University Faculty Student Research Grant.

scholarly journals Child Compared with Parent Perceptions of Child-Level Food Security

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew J Landry ◽  
Alexandra E van den Berg ◽  
Fiona M Asigbee ◽  
Sarvenaz Vandyousefi ◽  
Reem Ghaddar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Parent Perceptions ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Security Assessment ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Nutrition Assistance

ABSTRACT Background There is a need to directly and accurately conceptualize and measure food insecurity in children as part of surveillance and public health efforts. Objective The aim of this study was to compare parent and child perceptions of child-level food security status via questionnaires within a large, ethnically diverse population. Methods Cross-sectional baseline data from a cluster-randomized controlled trial involving primarily low-income, Hispanic third- to fifth-grade students and their parents were used for analysis. The sample consisted of 2408 dyadic (parent and child) pairs. Parents completed the 8-item child-referenced Household Food Security Survey Module and their responses were compared with an adaption of the 5-item Child Food Security Assessment completed by their child. Levels of association between child and parent perceptions within dyads were calculated using Goodman and Kruskal's γ statistic. A mixed-effects binomial logistic regression model was used to model discordance as a function of child, parent, and household sociodemographic characteristics. Results The child sample was 53% girls, mean age of 9 y, and 63% were Hispanic. The parent sample was 86% women and 65% Hispanic. Child and parent perceptions of child-level food security agreed only 21.7% of the time. There was a weak positive association between child and parent perceptions of child-level food security (γ = 0.162, P < 0.001). Children perceived themselves as less food secure than their parents’ perception 70.1% of the time. Household receipt of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits was associated with greater odds of discordant food security perceptions, whereas female children, older children, and parents not working were characteristics associated with lower odds of discordant perceptions. Conclusions Results, in combination with the existing literature, suggest that parent perceptions of child-level food insecurity may underestimate child-level food insecurity experiences. Inaccurate estimations or underestimations of the true prevalence of child-level food insecurity could be detrimental to maternal and child health efforts. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02668744.

scholarly journals Does Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Reduce Food Insecurity among Households with Children? Evidence from the Current Population Survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 3178
Author(s):  
Jun Zhang ◽  
Yanghao Wang ◽  
Steven T. Yen
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Current Population Survey ◽  
Population Survey ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Current Population ◽  
Households With Children ◽  
Nutrition Assistance

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is designed to improve household diet and food security—a pressing problem confronting low-income families in the United States. Previous studies on the issue often ignored the methodological issue of endogenous program participation. We revisit this important issue by estimating a simultaneous equation system with ordinal household food insecurity. Data are drawn from the 2009–2011 Current Population Survey Food Security Supplement (CPS-FSS), restricted to SNAP-eligible households with children. Our results add to the stocks of empirical findings that SNAP participation ameliorates food insecurity among adults only, but increases the probabilities of low and very low food security among children. These contradictory results indicate that our selection approach with a single cross section is only partially successful, and that additional efforts are needed in further analyses of this complicated issue, perhaps with longitudinal data. Socio-demographic variables are found to affect food-secure households and food-insecure households differently, but affect SNAP nonparticipants and participants in the same direction. The state policy tools, such as broad-based categorical eligibility (BBCE) and simplified reporting, can encourage SNAP participation and thus ameliorate food insecurity. Our findings can inform policy deliberations.

Linking SNAP to Food Security: Exploring Reinstating a Purchase Requirement and Tying Benefits to the Low-Cost Food Plan

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Beth Osborne Daponte
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
The United States ◽  
Food Assistance ◽  
Food Banks ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Food Pantries ◽  
Structural Risk ◽  
Emergency Food Assistance ◽  
Nutrition Assistance

AbstractThe United States has a food assistance structure that, by design, does not assure that households receiving food assistance will be food secure, is deeply inefficient, and is at financial and structural risk. The two most common forms of food assistance used today are Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly the Food Stamp Program) and charitable food assistance in the form of groceries (provided through a network of food banks, food pantries, and other related programs). Approximately 43 million persons participate in SNAP and nearly one-third of them also rely on a food pantry for groceries. The use of charitable food assistance by persons relying on SNAP demonstrates that SNAP’s benefit level and structure does not sufficiently result in food security. The article argues that reinstating a purchase requirement for SNAP and increasing the level of benefits provided to SNAP participants would increase the food security of participants, alleviate the chronic demand for food from food banks and food pantries, and ultimately allow the charitable food assistance network to better accomplish its goal of providing emergency food assistance to the needy.

Using participatory and mixed-methods approaches in GIS to develop a Place-Based Food Insecurity and Vulnerability Index

2017 ◽  
Vol 49 (5) ◽  
pp. 1181-1205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahbubur R Meenar
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Food Environment ◽  
Food Access ◽  
Vulnerability Index ◽  
Community Food Security ◽  
Participatory Gis ◽  
Analytical Process

This paper discusses the development of a Place-Based Food Insecurity and Vulnerability Index (PFIVI), which incorporates six indicators and 30 variables. It also presents an application of this Index within the context of Philadelphia, a postindustrial U.S. city. The paper argues that in order to thoroughly measure a multidimensional socioeconomic problem that is tied to the built environment (e.g., food insecurity and vulnerability), the use of participatory and mixed-methods approaches in GIS (e.g., participatory GIS or PGIS) may produce more comprehensive results compared to other commonly used methods. This paper makes an intervention in the food environment literature, which tends to analyze food access in a narrow way, by applying a methodology conceptually grounded in community food security and operationalized through a PGIS project. It also contributes to still-evolving PGIS methodologies by directly engaging stakeholders in a complicated GIS-based analytical process.

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