142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

Annual Meeting Recordings are now available for purchase

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

142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition (November 15 - November 19, 2014): http://www.apha.org/events-and-meetings/annual
Monday, November 17, 2014 : 8:30 AM - 8:50 AM

Alicia Cohen, MD , Department of Family Medicine, Integrative Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Laurie Lachance, PhD, MPH , School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Oran Hesterman, PhD , Fair Food Network, Ann Arbor, MI
Rachel Bair, MS, MPH , Fair Food Network, Ann Arbor, MI
Suzanna Zick, ND, MPH , Family Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
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.

Learning Areas:

Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Describe utilization patterns of a SNAP incentive at Detroit farmers' markets. Assess how Detroit SNAP recipients using incentives compare sociodemographically with Detroit SNAP recipients not using the incentive program.

Keyword(s): Food Security, Nutrition

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been the principal or co-investigator on several foundation funded grants focusing on issues of food insecurity, nutrition, and diet-related disease. My specific research interests have focused on development and evaluation of community-based strategies for increasing healthy food access in underserved communities.
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.