Utilization of SNAP incentive programs for purchase of fruits and vegetables at Detroit farmers markets

Introduction: Diet-related disease has been cited among the leading causes of death in the United States. Some of the highest rates of diet-related disease are concentrated in underserved, low-income communities where fruit and vegetable consumption is far below national dietary guidelines. This study aims to evaluate utilization patterns for the incentive program Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB)—doubling Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for fruit and vegetable purchase—at Detroit Farmers Markets. Methods: Existing transaction data from 7 Detroit farmers markets participating in DUFB, as well as sociodemographic data from the Michigan SNAP registry, was coded based on the last 4 digits of recipients' SNAP Cards, a unique identifier common to each data set. Multivariate analysis is being performed on approximately 12,560 SNAP transactions at Detroit markets from the June-October 2012 season. Primary outcomes measures are what population of Detroit SNAP recipients are utilizing incentive programs, if there are individual level changes in purchase patterns, and how this population compares to SNAP recipients not using DUFB. Results and Discussion: Preliminary data shows almost half of participants were first time users of SNAP at farmers markets; there was, however, significant drop-off in usage after the initial visit. Final analysis of utilization patterns, and evaluation of sociodemographic factors correlated with program utilization, will be presented. This will provide critical information to better understand what populations are benefiting most from SNAP incentive programs, and barriers to usage that may need to be addressed.