Engaging Promotores in CalFresh Promotion: A promising strategy to encourage Food Stamp participation, healthy eating, and physical activity among California Latinos

Problem Statement: The food insecurity-obesity paradox is a growing problem. Access to healthy foods through Food Stamp participation is one way to address this. California's Food Stamp (CalFresh) participation rates are the lowest in the nation. Nearly 3 million people, many of whom are Latino, are eligible but not enrolled due to many barriers, including immigration status, language, and misinformation. Latinos are disproportionately affected by obesity and its consequences. Targeting CalFresh-eligible Latinos provides opportunities to improve the health status of this population. Relevance: California Project LEAN (Leaders Encouraging Activity and Nutrition) (CPL) developed the CalFresh Promotion Project to build the capacity of promotores to promote CalFresh and increase consumption of fruits and vegetables and physical activity among primarily Spanish-speaking adults in three California counties. Methods: CPL trained 25 promotores, who reached over 400 Spanish-speaking participants, using an English-and-Spanish language curriculum that addressed CalFresh, nutrition education, and the importance of physical activity. Evaluation methods included pre-and-post surveys of promotores and community members, lesson evaluations, and funded-agency interviews. Results: Findings suggest significant gains in increased knowledge, self-efficacy, intention and behavior to eat healthier food, be more physically active, and participate in CalFresh among both the promotores and community members. Conclusions: The CalFresh Promotion Project, which utilizes promotores, who are trusted community members, represents a promising strategy to encourage CalFresh participation and reinforce the importance of healthy eating and physical activity.