P23 - Factors Predicting Uptake of Farmers' Market Incentives Program

Abstract

Background (Background, Rationale, Prior Research, and/or Theory): There is recent growth in the number of farmers' markets (FM) redeeming Supplementary Nutrition Assistant Program (SNAP) benefits and different groups offering monetary incentives to help improve fresh produce access and health outcome of the low-income population. However, lack of awareness of such programs has been identified among barriers to the uptake among Supplementary Nutrition Assistant Program (SNAP) recipients. Objective: This study investigated factors associated with uptake of Double-up Food Bucks (DUFB) program after creating awareness of neighboring DUFB participating FM among SNAP recipients. Study Design, Setting, Participants, Intervention: The study design was a longitudinal repeated-measure design of SNAP recipients (N = 212) who reside in neighborhoods with FM that accept SNAP benefits. Outcome Measures and Analysis: Data were obtained through phone survey at baseline and two follow-ups. Logistic regression analysis was conducted on the use of DUFB at any time point with predictor variables, such as car ownership, travel time, fruit and vegetable (FV) intake at baseline, shopping with SNAP benefit at FM, and participation in other food assistance programs. Socio-demographic variables were treated as covariates. Significance was set at P < .05. Results: The result show that car ownership (OR = 5.51; P = .04), fruit and vegetable intake at baseline (OR = 1.41; P = .01), shopping with SNAP benefit at FM (OR = 6.11; P < .01), annual income less than $20,000 (OR = 0.14; P = .03), and number of children (OR = 0.45; P < .01) were factors predicting the uptake of DUFB program. Conclusions and Implications: In addition to targeting low-income families with children and those with actual low FV intake to encourage them to shop with their SNAP benefit at FM; our findings suggest that policies and interventions that will improve transportation access to healthier food options may be helpful in increasing uptake of the program. Funding: USDA.