A Qualitative Study of Diverse Experts' Views about Barriers and Strategies to Improve the Diets and Health of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Beneficiaries

Abstract

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the largest federal food assistance program, currently serves 44.7 million Americans with a budget of $75 billion in 2011. This study engaged leading experts for in-depth, semi-structured interviews to explore their opinions concerning the existing challenges and barriers to eating nutritiously in SNAP. Experts also proposed strategies for improving nutritional status among SNAP recipients. Twenty-seven individuals were interviewed from advocacy, government, industry, and research organizations. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, coded and analyzed for thematic content. The high cost of nutrient-rich foods, inadequate SNAP benefits, limited access to purchasing healthy foods, and environmental factors associated with poverty were identified as barriers that influence nutrition among low-income households in the United States. Six themes emerged among respondents from diverse sectors about how to address these challenges including: 1) providing SNAP participants with incentives to purchase nutrient-rich food consistent with the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans; 2) restricting the purchase of nutrient-poor foods and beverages with program benefits; 3) modifying the frequency of SNAP benefit distribution; 4) enhancing nutrition education; 5) improving the SNAP retailer environment and 6) increasing state and federal level coordination and consistency of program implementation. Given the recent dramatic increase in SNAP enrollment, policymakers must address existing barriers as well as consider new strategies to improve nutrition policies in SNAP so that the program can continue to address food insecurity needs as well as provide a healthful diet for SNAP beneficiaries.

Farmers' Market Utilization among Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Recipients in New Orleans, Louisiana: Preliminary Findings

“…15,17 While the findings are promising for these and similar programs, the longterm impact on FV consumption is not consistent. 8,18,19 In fact, poor and underserved individuals face several barriers to utilizing FMs, such as transportation, 20,21 cultural differences, 21 cost, 22,23 lack of awareness of FM locations, 18,24,25 or the ability to use SNAP benefits at FMs. 22 Objective: Farmers' markets are increasingly being promoted as a means to provide fresh produce to poor and underserved communities.…”

Ethical imperatives against item restriction in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

“…Though these proposals have been rejected, state legislatures and administrators continue to discuss similar mechanisms for controlling what SNAP can buy. Additionally, the perspectives of SNAP participants regarding item restriction have not been systematically studied in ways that are representative (Leung et al, 2017; Leung et al, 2013; Blumenthal et al, 2014). …”

A qualitative evaluation of UC CalFreshPlan, Shop, Save, Cookcurriculum reveals additional outcomes

“…While research documents the beneficial effect of SNAP on food security (Nord 2012), the program's impact on diet quality is modest at best (Gregory et al 2013). To address the dual SNAP mandate of promoting food security and diet quality, several policy options can be assessed, including incentives such as farmers' market vouchers to purchase more fruits and vegetables, restrictions on foods and beverages allowable for purchase, increased frequency of issuing SNAP benefits and improvement in the retail environment (Leung et al 2013). Experts also agree that more effective nutrition education might be another strategy, but call for more research on the effect of SNAP-Ed on participants' diet quality.…”