266325 Improving access to fruits and vegetables for nutrition assistance beneficiaries: An evaluation of the Farmers Market Access Project

Wednesday, October 31, 2012 : 1:30 PM - 1:50 PM

Kate Cole, MPH , Tobacco Studies Program, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, WA
     
Methods: We conducted a mixed-methods evaluation, using surveys, a focus group, and semi-structured interviews.

Results: In total, vendors and their employees (n=152), WIC/SNAP shoppers (n=63), and WIC staff (n=83) were surveyed; WIC staff (n=10) and market managers (n=7) attended a focus group; and nine market managers were interviewed. Of approximately 88 eligible vendors, 38 agreed to accept WIC. Ten chose to have an EBT terminal at their stall and six managers accepted a central market terminal, increasing by 79% the number of market stalls accepting SNAP/EBT. Primary motivation for vendor participation was making their products available to low-income shoppers. Vendors and markets cited fees and liability concerns as primary barriers to participation. Fewer than half of WIC staff told clients about using benefits at markets and a minority of WIC/SNAP shoppers were aware they could use their benefits at the market.

Discussion: When given support, vendors and markets were willing to take on a degree of inconvenience to serve low-income shoppers. To improve participation, we recommend extending subsidies and simplifying procedures to meet small vendors' capabilities. Increased outreach to WIC/SNAP clients is needed, and relationship building between WIC staff and markets may help.

Learning Areas:
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs

Learning Objectives:
1. Explain motivators and barriers to farmers market vendors accepting SNAP and WIC Cash Value Vouchers. 2. Explain motivators and barriers to markets accepting SNAP through a central market terminal. 3. Analyze lessons learned that could be useful for implementing a similar project.

Keywords: Food Security, Equal Access

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a graduate student in public health with a strong academic interest in health program evaluation and food justice. I have spent the past year designing, conducting, and analyzing data for this evaluation, with guidance from faculty, professional evaluators, and the program planners.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 5179.0: Farmers' Markets and Their Impact on Community Food Access and Diet