267228 Impacts of a farmers' market incentive program on fruit and vegetable access, purchase, and consumption

Monday, October 29, 2012

Lauren Olsho, PhD , Domestic Health Division, Abt Associates Inc., Cambridge, MA
Gayle Payne, PhD , Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Deborah Klein Walker, EdD , Domestic Health Division, Abt Associates Inc., Cambridge, MA
Sabrina S. Baronberg, MPH , Bureau of Chronic Disease, Physical Activity and Nutrition Program, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York, NY
Jan Jernigan, PhD , Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Alyson Abrami, RD, MPH , Bureau of Chronic Disease, Physical Activity and Nutrition Program, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York, NY
Background: This study examines the impact of Health Bucks, a farmer's market incentive coupon program, on individual-level fruit and vegetable access, purchase, and consumption in low-income New York City neighborhoods.

Methods: We used three primary data collection methods: (1) an on-site point-of-purchase survey of farmers' market shoppers, (2) a random-digit-dial telephone survey of residents in neighborhoods where the program operates, and (3) farmers' market shopper focus groups. Additionally, we examined differential time trends in consumption before and after program introduction using secondary Community Health Survey data.

Results: Greater Health Bucks exposure was associated with (1) greater perceived farmers' market access, and (2) increased frequency and amount of farmers' market purchases. Although Health Bucks users in our two cross-sectional surveys were more likely to report an increase in fruit and vegetable consumption over the last year, our secondary longitudinal analysis did not detect greater increases in consumption in neighborhoods where the program operated compared to neighborhoods where it did not.

Discussion: Farmers' market incentive coupon programs are one component of public health strategies to combat obesity, associated with higher fruit and vegetable access and purchases in low-income communities.

Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and prevention
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe impact findings from evaluation of New York City Health Bucks initiative; and 2. Describe mixed-methods evaluation design for assessing impacts.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I oversaw data collection and performed all included analyses.
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.

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