2015 APHA Annual Meeting & Expo

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Online Program

330070
SNAP incentives and SNAP purchases at a farmers' market in a low-access community


Monday, November 2, 2015 : 11:00 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.

Patricia Sharpe, PhD, MPH, College of Social Work, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
Bethany Bell, PhD, MPH, College of Social Work, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
Angela Liese, PhD, MPH, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
Jessica Stucker, MSW, College of Social Work, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
Audio (mp3) recording Recorded Presentation (mp4)
Introduction. Farmers' markets and financial incentives may facilitate healthy food access and improve diet quality in communities of low access, high poverty, and food insecurity. Our purpose was to examine SNAP purchases over two years as two SNAP incentives programs (Double SNAP, Healthy Bucks) were implemented at a farmers' market near low-access/high poverty neighborhoods. 

Methods. SNAP purchasing data were obtained from a S.C. farmers' market (2013-2014). SNAP transactions at markets with only the Double SNAP program available (5/25/13-5/23/14; n = 57 market dates) were compared to transactions at markets with both the Double SNAP and Healthy Bucks programs (5/24/14-12/20/14; n = 60 market dates). Qualitative interviews with community leaders assessed program awareness.

Results. Excluding the value of the incentives, a total of $5092.25 in SNAP transactions was spent during the Double SNAP period (M=$89.34 per market date), compared to $8397.18 during the subsequent Double SNAP and Healthy Bucks period (M=$140 per market date). The difference between mean SNAP transactions in these two time periods (M=$50.62) was statistically significant [t (93.34) = -2.12, p = .0364] and small to moderate in magnitude (Cohen’s d = .39). Trend analysis revealed that the increase during the second time period was greater than expected based on data from the first time period. At the end of 2014, qualitative interviews revealed low community awareness of SNAP acceptance and incentives at the market.

Discussion. SNAP incentives may encourage farmers' market purchases and extend the food budgets of families in poverty. Increasing awareness could maximize program impact.


Learning Areas:

Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
Describe changes in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) transactions at a farmers' market during the implementation phases of SNAP incentives programs. List strategies and challenges to attracting SNAP shoppers to farmers' markets.

Keyword(s): Food Security, Obesity

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have the MPH and PhD degrees in public health/health promotion and education. I have been PI and Co-PI on multiple federally funded research grants to conduct research in community-based settings focused on nutrition, physical activity and health disparities.
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.

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