Utilization of a SNAP Incentive Program for the Purchase of Fruits and Vegetables at Detroit Farmers' Markets

INTRODUCTION: Diet-related disease is 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 SNAP benefits for fruit and vegetable purchase—at Detroit farmers’ markets.  METHODS: Existing transaction data from seven Detroit farmers’ markets participating in DUFB and sociodemographic data from the Michigan SNAP registry is being linked based on the last 8 digits of recipients’ SNAP cards, a unique identifier common to each data set.  Multivariate analysis is being performed on approximately 22,207 SNAP transactions at Detroit farmers’ markets from the 2012 and 2013 seasons.  Primary outcomes measures are sociodemographic characteristics of Detroit SNAP recipients using DUFB, utilization patterns of DUFB among Detroit SNAP recipients, and how this population compares sociodemographically to Detroit SNAP recipients not using DUFB.  RESULTS: 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. DISCUSSION: Final analyses of utilization patterns will provide critical information to better understand what populations are benefitting most from incentive programs like DUFB, as well as barriers to usage that may need to be addressed.