Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM) position statement: provide funding for incentive programs to expand healthy food offerings in SNAP-authorized small food stores

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chelsea R Singleton ◽  
Oluwafikayo S Adeyemi ◽  
Kaustubh V Parab ◽  
Alexandra M Roehll ◽  
Edson Flores ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Technical Assistance ◽  
Position Statement ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Food Stores ◽  
Incentive Programs ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Nutrition Assistance ◽  
Food Offerings

Abstract Individuals and families with limited access to healthy foods often experience increased risk for poor diet and chronic disease. Low-income communities are more likely to have a large number of small food stores (e.g., corner stores and dollar stores) compared to higher-income communities. Since many of these small food stores participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), increasing healthy food offerings in these stores may expand healthy food retail in low-income communities. We recommend the provision of funding for incentive programs that encourage SNAP-authorized small food stores in low-income communities to expand their healthy food offerings. This programming should (a) provide seed grants to store owners to develop or reconfigure store infrastructure, (b) offer store owners technical assistance and educational materials on marketing strategies for promoting healthy food items to customers, and (c) give a tax break to SNAP-authorized small food stores in low-income communities that maintain a predetermined minimum stock of U.S. Department of Agriculture-recognized staple foods.

scholarly journals Examining Changes to Food and Beverage Availability and Marketing in a Low-Income Community after the Opening of a High-End Supermarket

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-28
Author(s):  
Chelsea R. Singleton ◽  
Yu Li ◽  
Shannon N. Zenk ◽  
Lisa M. Powell
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Food Stores ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Food And Beverage ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Nutrition Assistance ◽  
Limited Service

Abstract Objective: In 2016, a Whole Foods Market© opened in the Englewood community of Chicago, IL – a predominately low-income African American community. This study aimed to examine changes to food and beverage availability and marketing in Englewood’s existing food stores after the opening of this supermarket. Design: Quasi-experimental study. Setting: Two low-income African American communities in Chicago, IL. Participants: Fieldworkers audited all small grocery and limited-service stores (e.g., convenience stores, liquor stores, dollar/discount stores) located within one-square mile of the new supermarket and a one-square mile area of a demographically comparable community that also lacked a supermarket. Stores were audited before (2016) and after (2017 and 2018) the supermarket opened. Results: Of the 78 stores audited at baseline, 71.8% were limited-service stores and 85.9% accepted Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Overall, the availability of healthy food and beverage options in nearby small stores was low at baseline and both follow-up periods. Difference-in-Difference regression models revealed a significant increase in 1) the percentage of stores in the intervention community (i.e., Englewood) offering regular cheese and promoting salty snacks at check-out from 2016 – 2017 and 2) the percentage of stores in the comparison community with interior store promotions for other sweetened beverages from 2016 – 2018. Conclusions: Minimal changes in food and beverage availability and marketing occurred one and two years after the opening of a new supermarket. However, the wide range of staple food items offered by the supermarket expanded healthy food retail in Chicago’s Englewood community.

scholarly journals Availability, quality and price of produce in low-income neighbourhood food stores in California raise equity issues

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (9) ◽  
pp. 1639-1648 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendi Gosliner ◽  
Daniel M Brown ◽  
Betty C Sun ◽  
Gail Woodward-Lopez ◽  
Patricia B Crawford
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Grocery Stores ◽  
Local Health ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Food Stores ◽  
Convenience Stores ◽  
Nutrition Assistance

AbstractObjectiveTo assess produce availability, quality and price in a large sample of food stores in low-income neighbourhoods in California.DesignCross-sectional statewide survey.SettingBetween 2011 and 2015, local health departments assessed store type, WIC (Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children)/SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) participation, produce availability, quality and price of selected items in stores in low-income neighbourhoods. Secondary data provided reference chain supermarket produce prices matched by county and month.tTests and ANOVA examined differences by store type; regression models examined factors associated with price.SubjectsLarge grocery stores (n231), small markets (n621) and convenience stores (n622) in 225 neighbourhoods.ResultsProduce in most large groceries was rated high quality (97 % of fruits, 98 % of vegetables), but not in convenience stores (25 % fruits, 14 % vegetables). Small markets and convenience stores participating in WIC and/or SNAP had better produce availability, variety and quality than non-participating stores. Produce prices across store types were, on average, higher than reference prices from matched chain supermarkets (27 % higher in large groceries, 37 % higher in small markets, 102 % higher in convenience stores). Price was significantly inversely associated with produce variety, adjusting for quality, store type, and SNAP and WIC participation.ConclusionsThe study finds that fresh produce is more expensive in low-income neighbourhoods and that convenience stores offer more expensive, poorer-quality produce than other stores. Variety is associated with price and most limited in convenience stores, suggesting more work is needed to determine how convenience stores can provide low-income consumers with access to affordable, high-quality produce. WIC and SNAP can contribute to the solution.

scholarly journals Participant voices: examining issue, program and policy priorities of SNAP-Ed eligible adults in California

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 407-415 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendi Gosliner ◽  
Heena Shah
Keyword(s):  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Unhealthy Food ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Multiple Challenges ◽  
Nutrition Assistance ◽  
Employed Parents

AbstractThe Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) aims to prevent obesity and chronic disease among SNAP-eligible families by facilitating healthy eating and active living. This study aimed to capture the voices of California SNAP-Ed eligible parents to inform program planners of their challenges in feeding their families, their available supports and priorities for intervention. We conducted eight focus groups with 55 participants across five counties in California from May through August 2017. Trained researchers used Dedoose to code and analyze data for substantive themes and overarching findings.Ten key findings and 4 additional findings were identified. Participants experience multiple challenges, primarily inadequate income and limited access to high quality, affordable healthy food contrasted with easy access to affordable unhealthy food. Despite efforts to manage food resources, most struggle to afford adequate diets. Employed parents confront a particularly challenging dual poverty of money and time. Many parents report feeling guilt related to feeding their children. Participants appreciate available programs and services and suggest increasing community input; providing sustainable programs; lowering the cost of and improving access to healthy food; reducing access to unhealthy food; modifying food assistance efforts; and improving nutrition education and promotion. Overall, low-income parents in California struggle to feed their families the way they would like. Participants generally understand what to feed their children, but struggle with how to do it, perceiving their circumstances and environments as inhospitable to healthy eating. Participants' suggestions can help SNAP-Ed programs and other efforts better support families' needs.

scholarly journals THE IMPACT OF FOOD INSECURITY ON THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF OLDER ADULTS: THE GROUPS MOST AT RISK

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S738-S738
Author(s):  
Lauren E Popham ◽  
Erin McGovern
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Prescription Drugs ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Well Being ◽  
National Council ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Nutrition Assistance ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Older adults who experience food insecurity (4.6 million) often have worse health outcomes. Food insecure older adults consume less nutrients, which puts them at greater risk of developing chronic diseases. They are at increased risk of falls due the impact of poor nutrition on muscle mass, bone density, and balance. Low-income older adults are often forced to choose between buying groceries and paying other bills. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) plays an important role in reducing food insecurity. SNAP enables older adults to buy the nutritious food they need, while freeing up resources to pay for everyday things to meet their health needs such as prescription drugs. Research shows that medication adherence increases when low-income older adults enroll in SNAP. Despite the beneficial impact of enrolling in SNAP, it’s estimated that 55% of eligible adults age 60 and older are not participating in this critical program. To understand which older adults are missing out on SNAP, the National Council on Aging engaged researchers at Leading Age LTSS Center at UMass Boston to analyze data from the 2014 Health and Retirement Study. The results show that some of the most vulnerable older adult populations are less likely to participate in SNAP even though they are eligible (i.e., Hispanic, age 75 and older, those who are not utilizing healthcare, etc.). The findings suggest that more targeted outreach to these groups is needed to ensure that the most vulnerable populations of older adults access this critical benefit.

scholarly journals Access to Healthier Foods for Idaho Local Food Pantries

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 212-212
Author(s):  
Shelly Johnson ◽  
Kali Gardiner ◽  
Annie Roe
Keyword(s):  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ◽  
Healthy Foods ◽  
Food Bank ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Nutrition Assistance

Abstract Objectives For many struggling with poverty, consuming a nutritious diet while managing an existing chronic condition can be extremely challenging. Often times food bank/pantries offer an emergency resource to help promote health to families in need, however, many of them lack healthy foods to improve nutrition, health and well-being. In Idaho's Kootenai County, over 35,000 people are food insecure, 13.1% of the population with over 6000 of them being children, 17.1% of the population. University Of Idaho Extension Eat Smart Idaho program, with funding from USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education and the Department of Health and Welfare, have created their Healthy Food Bank/Pantry Protocol and Healthy Food Drive Protocol to help mesh our food bank network with healthier food options and give access to healthier foods to our low income families. Methods Eat Smart Idaho's goal is to move as many pantries towards the “choice” model as well as “MyPlate” pantries that will allow nutrition education through signage, demonstrations, recipes and classes. Additionally, a protocol has been written for healthy food drives with the goal of reaching as many individuals with this education as possible. In the last two years, FY2017–2019, the Eat Smart Idaho program serving Kootenai County assisted with over 20 healthy food drives. The Post Falls School District Annual Food Drive which supports the Post Falls Food Bank was a particular success in 2019. This food drive included 7 elementary schools who challenged each other to donate the most food. In 2019, schools were also rewarded for bringing in the most healthy food donations. The Eat Smart Idaho team provided nutrition education assemblies and classroom presentations on how to donate healthy. Healthy food donation lists were also created, as well as displays set up at school locations. Results Ponderosa Elementary received the Eat Smart Idaho Award for donating the most healthy food, additionally, students wrote essays about the importance of donating healthy foods to families in need. The Post Falls Food Drive collected over 10,000 pounds of food and $1700 in monetary donations. Conclusions Providing nutrition education and healthy donation lists serve as a model for managing a healthy food drive, particularly, in the school setting. Funding Sources Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - Education.

Changes to SNAP-authorized retailer stocking requirements and the supply of foods and beverages in low-income communities in seven U.S. states

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 857-864 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa M Powell ◽  
Chelsea R Singleton ◽  
Yu Li ◽  
Elizabeth Anderson Steeves ◽  
Iana A Castro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Food Stores ◽  
Nutrition Assistance

Less than one-half of small food stores audited in low-income communities met the USDA’s 2016 proposed expansion of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-authorized retailer stocking requirements.

scholarly journals If you stock it, will they buy it? Healthy food availability and customer purchasing behaviour within corner stores in Hartford, CT, USA

2012 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
pp. 1973-1978 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katie S Martin ◽  
Erin Havens ◽  
Katie E Boyle ◽  
Gregory Matthews ◽  
Elizabeth A Schilling ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Reduced Fat ◽  
Shopping Behaviour ◽  
Corner Stores ◽  
Nutrition Assistance

AbstractObjectiveLiterature on food environments has expanded rapidly, yet most research focuses on stores and community characteristics without integrating customer-level data. The present study combines customer shopping behaviour with store food inventory data.DesignFace-to-face interviews were conducted with customers shopping in corner stores to measure food shopping behaviour, household food security and demographics. Store inventories were conducted to measure availability of healthy food in corner stores. Multilevel logistic regression models estimated the probability of customers purchasing a food item given the availability of that item in the store.SettingNineteen corner stores in Hartford, CT, USA, average size 669 ft2 (62·15 m2).SubjectsSample of 372 customers.ResultsThe majority of customers were Black or Hispanic (54 % and 40 %, respectively) and 61 % experienced food insecurity. For each additional type of fruits or vegetables available in the store, the estimated odds of a customer purchasing fruits increased by 12 % (P = 0·03) and the odds for purchasing vegetables increased by 15 % (P = 0·01). Customers receiving the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) were 1·7 times as likely to purchase fruit as those not receiving SNAP (P = 0·04). Greater availability of reduced-fat milk was not associated with increased likelihood of customers purchasing reduced-fat milk.ConclusionsThere is a positive association between fruit and vegetable variety and the probability that a customer purchases fruits and vegetables. Increasing the selection of produce in corner stores may increase their consumption by food-insecure and low-income residents at risk for health disparities. These findings have implications for future store interventions and food policies.

Protocol for using digital technologies to increase redemption of WIC-approved foods: cohort feasibility study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa Kay ◽  
Nour M Hammad ◽  
Sharon J Herring ◽  
Gary G Bennett
Keyword(s):  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Diet Quality ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Maternal Diet ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Dietary Guidelines ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Feasibility Assessment ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Nutrition Assistance

UNSTRUCTURED U.S. children eat too few fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and too many energy dense foods, dietary behaviors associated with increased risk for obesity and chronic diseases later in life. Maternal diet plays a key role in shaping children's diets, but many mothers have poor diet quality, especially those living in low-income households. WIC is a federal nutrition assistance program that provides mothers and children with nutrient-dense foods and those who participate have better diet quality. However, many mothers are not redeeming all their WIC-approved foods. There is a need to create effective interventions to improve diet quality, especially among low-income children and families. This manuscript describes the rationale and design for a pilot 12-week prospective cohort feasibility study that uses digital technologies to increase redemption of WIC-approved foods. The primary aim of the study is to explore the feasibility of the intervention and to determine the intervention's preliminary efficacy on improving maternal diet quality and increasing redemption of WIC-approved foods using a rigorous feasibility assessment framework. The results from this pilot study will explore whether this digital behavioral intervention, which will deliver nutrition guidance in accordance with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans using interactive self-monitoring and feedback, is feasible and acceptable. This will lay the foundation for a larger evaluation to determine efficacy for improving diet quality in those most at risk for obesity.

Healthy Food Incentive Programs: Findings From Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Programs Across the United States

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 421-429 ◽  
Author(s):  
Courtney A. Parks ◽  
Katie L. Stern ◽  
Hollyanne E. Fricke ◽  
Whitney Clausen ◽  
Amy L. Yaroch
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Technical Assistance ◽  
The United States ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Incentive Programs

Diet-related chronic disease remains a public health concern, and low intake of fruits and vegetables disproportionately affects low-income populations. Healthy food incentive (HFI) projects can help close the nutrition gap among low-income populations by increasing purchasing power and access to fruits and vegetables. This study aimed to qualitatively explore lessons learned and best practices from Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Grant Program (FINI) grantees across the United States. Thirty semistructured interviews were conducted with FINI grantees and stakeholders in 2018, eliciting best practices and promising findings, policy implications, and knowledge gaps and opportunities to pursue that inform program refinement and sustainability. Telephone and in-person interviews were conducted with FINI grant recipients from 2015 to 2016, specifically, recipients of FINI-funded multiyear community-based projects and large-scale projects. Our results highlighted (1) range of projects and scope, (2) program promotion and awareness, (3) community-based partnerships, (4) technical assistance and peer interactions, (5) measurement and evaluation, (6) program challenges, and (7) future directions and recommendations. Grantees reported a “trifecta of benefits” that affects low-income consumers, farmers, and food retailers. Our findings contribute to understanding how to implement HFI programs in a variety of settings and highlight the variations that can exist between programs, as well as the need for increased technical assistance and synergy between programs (communities of practice). Overall, these findings can help to inform implementation and practice of healthy food incentive programs and the Farm Bill and other policy discussions.

scholarly journals The Provision of Assistance Does Not Substantially Impact the Accuracy of 24-Hour Dietary Recalls Completed Using the Automated Self-Administered 24-H Dietary Assessment Tool among Women with Low Incomes

2019 ◽  
Vol 149 (1) ◽  
pp. 114-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon I Kirkpatrick ◽  
Patricia M Guenther ◽  
Deirdre Douglass ◽  
Thea Zimmerman ◽  
Lisa L Kahle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Dietary Assessment ◽  
Food Group ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Plate Waste ◽  
Low Incomes ◽  
Portion Sizes ◽  
Nutrition Assistance

ABSTRACT Background Evidence is lacking informing the use of the Automated Self-Administered 24-h Dietary Assessment Tool (ASA24) with populations characterized by low income. Objective This study was conducted among women with low incomes to evaluate the accuracy of ASA24 recalls completed independently and with assistance. Methods Three hundred and two women, aged ≥18 y and with incomes below the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program thresholds, served themselves from a buffet; amounts taken as well as plate waste were unobtrusively weighed to enable calculation of true intake for 3 meals. The following day, women completed ASA24-2016 independently (n = 148) or with assistance from a trained paraprofessional in a small group (n = 154). Regression modeling examined differences by condition in agreement between true and reported foods; energy, nutrient, and food group intakes; and portion sizes. Results Participants who completed ASA24 independently and those who received assistance reported matches for 71.9% and 73.5% (P = 0.56) of items truly consumed, respectively. Exclusions (consumed but not reported) were highest for lunch (at which participants consumed approximately 2 times the number of distinct foods and beverages compared with breakfast and dinner). Commonly excluded foods were additions to main dishes (e.g., tomatoes in salad). On average, excluded foods contributed 43.6 g (46.2 kcal) and 40.1 g (43.2 kcal) among those in the independent and assisted conditions, respectively. Gaps between true and reported intake were different between conditions for folate and iron. Within conditions, significant gaps were observed for protein, vitamin D, and meat (both conditions); vitamin A, iron, and magnesium (independent); and folate, calcium, and vegetables (assisted). For foods and beverages for which matches were reported, no difference in the gap between true and reported portion sizes was observed by condition (P = 0.22). Conclusions ASA24 performed relatively well among women with low incomes; however, accuracy was somewhat lower than previously observed among adults with a range of incomes. The provision of assistance did not significantly impact accuracy.

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