Improving Food Security Through Farmers’ Market Incentives

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether Double Up Food Bucks (DUB) increases food security and fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake among SNAP participants in Utah. Design, SettingandParticipants:A convenience sample of 96 SNAP participants were recruited at a farmers’ market prior to participation in DUB, a farmers market incentive program. Fifty participants completed a 4-week follow up survey. A pre-post design was used to determine behavior change as a result of the incentive program. The survey included questions such as demographics, F&V consumption, food security, food assistance use, and shopping habits. Outcome Measures and Analysis: Food security was measured using USDA’s Six-Item Short Form Food Security Survey Module. F&V consumption was measured using the F&V module of Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Data were paired using confidential identification numbers. Scales were generated for the food security & F&V questions. Paired t-tests were used to compare the mean responses of the developed scales. Results: Eighty-five percent of individuals reported participating in DUB more than twice over the intervention period. Participants reported a significant (P <0.05) improvement in food security from baseline to follow up. No significant (p1⁄4.288) changes in F&V consumption were found, however, the average intake of F&V increased by 1⁄4 time per day by follow up. Furthermore, 86% of participants reported F&V intake increased after receiving farmers’ market incentives. Conclusions and Implications: Results suggest that farmers’ market incentives improve food security among SNAP participants. Although not significant, results also suggest an increase in F&V intake. Additional research should be conducted to further investigate the impact of farmers’ market incentive programs. Funding: Utah State University, Utahns Against Hunger.