This study examined Illinois farmers' market managers' perception of the electronic benefit transfer system (EBT) using the theory of diffusion of innovation. The previous conversion of food stamps to EBT made it difficult for low-income populations to access fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers' markets. Currently, 24% of farmers markets in the United States offer EBT services. The purpose of this study was to examine the characteristics of EBT technology to better understand how these attributes were affecting the rate of its diffusion at Illinois farmers' markets. Factor analysis revealed 5 factors explaining 74.74% of the variance. Complexity, relative advantage, and trialability were found to be significant predictors of EBT adoption. Farmers' market managers may be more willing to adopt EBT when it is less complex, when they perceive it as better than the previous food stamps, and when they have a chance to try it before adopting.

Substantial research suggests that the t10,c12-18:2, but not the c9,t11-18:2, isomer of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) reduces milk fat synthesis in lactating bovine and rodent species. Because fat is the major energy-yielding component in human milk, we were interested in whether this is true for women as well. Thus, the effects of c9,t11-18:2 and t10,c12-18:2 on milk fat were examined in breast-feeding women (n = 12) in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study with latin-square design. The study was divided into six periods: baseline (3 days), three intervention periods (5 days each), and two washout periods (9 days each). During each intervention period, women consumed 750 mg/day of a supplement containing predominantly c9,t11-18:2, t10,c12-18:2, or 18:1 (olive oil placebo). Milk was collected by complete breast expression on the final day of each period. Infant milk consumption was estimated by 24 h weighing on the penultimate day of each intervention and washout period, and maternal adiposity (% body fat) was determined at baseline using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Milk c9,t11-18:2 and t10,c12-18:2 concentrations were greater (P < 0.05) during the corresponding CLA treatment periods as compared to the placebo period, providing strong evidence of subject compliance. Both CLA isomers were transferred into milk fat at relatively high efficiency; average transfer efficiency was estimated to be 23.3%. Compared to the placebo treatment, milk fat content was not reduced during either CLA treatment. Data indicate that body fatness did not modify any putative effect of isomeric CLA consumption on milk fat concentration. The evidence from this study suggests that the sensitivity of lactating women's mammary tissue to an anti-lipogenic effect of the t10,c12-18:2 isoform of CLA may be less than previously hypothesized.

The number of people in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, is currently at an all-time high. The switch from food stamp coupons to the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) system was completed nationwide in 2004, yet almost 75% of the nation's farmers markets are not equipped to accept EBT. The state of Illinois has the sixth largest number of farmers markets in the U.S. and only 24% of its farmers markets accept EBT. The objective of this study is to identify variables important to facilitate successful EBT transactions at Illinois farmers markets. A survey was administered electronically to all Illinois farmers market managers who reported using EBT in 2011 in this cross-sectional study. Twenty-four markets participated and completed the survey. The main outcome measure was EBT sales at farmers markets in 2011. We used linear regression analysis to examine effects of selected market characteristics and management variables on EBT sales. We also performed a paired sample t-test to compare the sales of 2010 and 2011 and did correlation analysis to explore relationships between EBT and total credit and debit sales. SNAP redemptions increased significantly in

No abstract

No abstract