Use of Traditional and Nontraditional Food Venues Among Female Participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Abstract

We examined food venues used, food shopping frequency, types of foods purchased, and associations with body mass index (BMI) among 207 female Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants in eastern North Carolina. The majority reported using supermarkets (96%) and supercenters (86%) and reported using these venues most often. Drug stores (13%), convenience stores (30%), the homeless shelter (17%), gardens (30%), and farmers' markets (27%) were used by fewer participants. Women purchased healthier food at supermarkets and supercenters and less healthy food at drug stores and convenience stores. Future work should examine the association between venue type and specific food items purchased.