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304591
Barriers and Facilitators to Use of a SNAP Incentive Program at Detroit Farmers' Market: A Qualitative Evaluation
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
: 9:10 AM - 9:30 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: SNAP incentive programs aim to reduce economic barriers to produce consumption while encouraging healthier food purchases. However, limited work has assessed barriers and facilitators to program use. This study examines participant experiences with an incentive program at Detroit farmers’ markets. METHODS: We conducted six focus groups with participants in the SNAP incentive program Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB) exploring food purchasing patterns, as well as barriers and facilitators to produce purchase, consumption, and farmers’ market/program utilization. Pre-focus group surveys assessed sociodemographic factors, food security, produce intake, and health status. RESULTS: Participants reported prioritizing produce in monthly food shopping, and many described dietary changes catalyzed by health concerns and disease management. Strategies for maximizing produce purchase and consumption included planning around sales, coupons, and DUFB-eligible items; buying in bulk and freezing/canning; engaging family in food purchase/preparation; and diversifying recipes. Barriers included limited access/availability; transportation; time; lack of knowledge around preparing healthy foods; and confusion about program operations. Participants reported DUFB made produce more affordable, enabled increased produce intake, and stretched SNAP dollars for other needed purchases. Participants also felt farmers’ markets offered higher quality produce, and a more personable environment. Suggested program improvements included more advertising, better education around program use, extending the program year round, and expanding to all SNAP-eligible retailers. DISCUSSION: Incentive programs are a promising model for facilitating healthier food purchases. Given new federal funding for SNAP incentives in the current Farm Bill, participant feedback on existing programs will be essential to helping shape new program development.
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 barriers and facilitators to produce purchase and consumption among Detroit SNAP recipients. Describe barriers and facilitators to farmers market and SNAP incentive program utilization. Assess participant reported impact of a SNAP incentive program on produce purchase and consumption.
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.
