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INTRODUCTION: The U.S. safety net, which provides critical aid to households with low income, is composed of a patchwork of separate programs, and many people with low income benefit from accessing

Introduction/Objectives: Since the COVID-19 pandemic, few studies have examined how participation in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and/or Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) impacts diet quality in families with young children. This study aims to explore the association between SNAP and/or WIC participation and diet quality in mother-child dyads in Greater Boston, MA. Methods: A mixed-method approach involving cross-sectional surveys and in-depth interviews were utilized. Participants included 69 mother-child dyads for quantitative and 18 mothers for qualitative data collection. Analysis of covariance using generalized linear models was employed to compare differences in Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015) scores based on SNAP and/or WIC participation, and thematic analysis was used for coding themes. Results: Mothers who participated in SNAP and/or WIC were more from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. After adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, and education, no significant differences in diet quality were found for both mothers and their children. However, qualitative results showed that mothers prioritized their children's nutrition, used benefits to buy fruits and vegetables, and experienced stress that impacted their own diet quality. Conclusions: Since the pandemic, SNAP and WIC appeared to support families experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage (e.g., lower income and educational attainment) to improve diet quality, particularly through increased access to fruits and vegetables. However, these programs have not fully eliminated persistent disparities in diet quality, which seems to continue even the pandemic's immediate effects have subsided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nearly 10% of older adults reported food insecurity in 2021. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) aims to reduce food insecurity by providing low-income households with benefits to purchase food. Twenty-one older adults discussed their experiences with SNAP during three focus groups. Thematic analysis indicated that benefits were appreciated but insufficient. Participants identified challenges to applying, using, and maintaining benefits in part due to age-related limitations. The results provide evidence that improved nutrition among older adults will require increasing benefit amounts, reducing paperwork, and easing restrictions on the use of benefits to purchase prepared foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the impact of interstate migration on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participation is crucial due to the potential influence of such migration on the effectiveness of social welfare programs. This study shows that interstate migration decreases the probability of SNAP participation, finding a reduction in SNAP benefits of $462.7 among interstate migrants relative to non-migrants in the subsequent year. These findings suggest that simplifying the recertification process for interstate migrants could serve as an effective policy intervention to address these challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigates the geographic distribution patterns of the responsiveness of four safety net programs during the significant economic downturn triggered by the 2020 pandemic: Unemployment Insurance, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Medicaid, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. An analysis of each state's enrollment changes in these safety net programs from the pre-pandemic to the pandemic period relative to labor-market performance, using a responsiveness index, revealed which programs were most responsive to the pandemic recession in specific states or regions. Consistent with national findings, the present study suggests that Unemployment Insurance responded the most to the economic downturn of 2020, followed by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Medicaid, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. Findings also show that Arizona and New Mexico responded highly across all four programs relative to labor-market performance. We used exploratory spatial data analysis to determine whether the spatial patterns of the responsiveness index identified in the study are statistically significant globally and locally within a given neighborhood structure. Our findings suggest that spatial distribution patterns are not random for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families at the global level. Moreover, statistically low-low clusters were found in different areas of these two programs: the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in northern states and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families in southern states. Our analyses of the four safety nets' responsiveness to labor market performance are consistent with the underlying social sustainability principles, particularly livelihood security and social well-being. Our findings can help policymakers make data-driven and better-informed decisions to assist those facing financial hardship, paving the way for improved policies and new opportunities for prosperity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gather perspectives on healthy retail policies and strategies from a national sample of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants. Anonymous web-based survey fielded in English and Spanish. The survey measured support for healthy retail policies and strategies. National Qualtrics panel fielded on September 30 and October 19, 2022. A total of 1,559 adult SNAP participants (in the last 12 months) participated in the Qualtrics SNAP survey panel. Overall support for retail policies and strategies was calculated using response frequencies and proportions. Cross-tabulations and chi-square tests of independence assessed differences in policy support by online shopping behavior and nutrition security status. Significance was determined at P < 0.05. Most SNAP participants were broadly supportive of policies and strategies to improve the healthy food retail environment. More restrictive policies were less popular than policies that expanded consumer choice. Support also varied by online shopping status and nutrition security status. Policies and strategies that improve the healthy food retail environment are popular among a national sample of SNAP participants. Policy discussions must understand SNAP participants' perspectives regarding changes to the retail environment that may impact their ability to access healthy foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) addresses food insecurity for low-income households, which is associated with access to care. Many US states expanded SNAP access through policies eliminating the asset test (ie, restrictions based on SNAP applicant assets) and/or broadening income eligibility. The objective of this study was to determine whether state SNAP policies were associated with the use of mammography among women eligible for breast cancer screening. Data for income-eligible women 40 to 79 years of age were obtained from the 2006 to 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Difference-in-differences analyses were conducted to compare changes in the percentage of mammography in the past year from pre- to post-SNAP policy adoption (asset test elimination or income eligibility increase) between states that and did not adopt policies expanding SNAP eligibility. In total, 171,684 and 294,647 income-eligible female respondents were included for the asset test elimination policy and income eligibility increase policy analyses, respectively. Mammography within 1 year was reported by 58.4%. Twenty-eight and 22 states adopted SNAP asset test elimination and income increase policies, respectively. Adoption of asset test elimination policies was associated with a 2.11 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.07-4.15; P =.043) percentage point increase in mammography received within 1 year, particularly for nonmetropolitan residents (4.14 percentage points; 95% CI, 1.07-7.21 percentage points; P =.008), those with household incomes <$25,000 (2.82 percentage points; 95% CI, 0.68-4.97 percentage points; P =.01), and those residing in states in the South (3.08 percentage points; 95% CI, 0.17-5.99 percentage points; P =.038) or that did not expand Medicaid under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (3.35 percentage points; 95% CI, 0.36-6.34; P =.028). There was no significant association between mammography and state-level policies broadening of SNAP income eligibility. State policies eliminating asset test requirements for SNAP eligibility were associated with increased mammography among low-income women eligible for breast cancer screening, particularly for those in the lowest income bracket or residing in nonmetropolitan areas or Medicaid nonexpansion states. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 disrupted food access, potentially increasing nutritional risk and health inequities. This study aimed to describe and assess associations between changes in food/meal acquisition behaviors and relative changes in dietary intake and bodyweight from before to during the pandemic. Low-income parents (n = 1090) reported these changes by online survey in April-August 2021. Associations were assessed by multinomial logistic regression. Compared to those with no change, those who decreased supermarket shopping had greater odds of decreased fruit and vegetable (FV; OR[95%CI] = 2.4[1.4-4.1]) and increased salty snack intakes (OR[95%CI] = 1.7[1.0-2.8]). Those who decreased farmers market shopping had greater odds of decreased FV intake (OR[95%CI] = 1.8[1.0-3.1]), increased bodyweight (OR[95%CI] = 1.7[1.1-2.6]), and increased SSB (OR[95%CI] = 1.9[1.1-3.2]) and sweets intakes (OR[95%CI] = 1.8[1.1-2.9]). Those who increased online food ordering had greater odds of increased sweets (OR[95%CI] = 1.7[1.1-2.8]), salty snacks (OR[95%CI] = 1.9[1.2-3.2]), and fast food (OR[95%CI] = 2.0[1.2-3.5]) intakes and bodyweight (OR[95%CI] = 1.8[1.1-2.9]). Those who increased healthy meal preparation had greater odds of increased FV intake (OR[95%CI] = 4.0[2.5-6.5]), decreased SSB (OR[95%CI] = 3.7[2.3-6.0]), sweets (OR[95%CI] = 2.7[1.6-4.4]), salty snacks (OR[95%CI] = 3.0[1.8-5]) and fast food intakes (OR[95%CI] = 2.8[1.7-4.6]) and bodyweight (OR[95%CI] = 2.2[1.2-4.0]). Interventions to address the potentially negative impacts of online food/meal shopping and support healthy home cooking may be needed to improve nutrition-related outcomes and reduce health disparities in the aftermath of the current pandemic and during future emergencies requiring similar restrictions.

Food insecurity is a global phenomenon which impacts a variety of social, economic, and life-stage groups. One such group affected by food insecurity is college students, who tend to experience food insecurity at a prevalence which exceeds the average of their local communities. The impacts of food insecurity in this population are multifaceted and have implications for their college experience and beyond. Food insecurity has been observed to have negative effects on college student academic performance, physical health, and mental health. This review explores the impacts of and solutions for food insecurity in this population globally, with particular emphasis on the United States, and specifically California.

The proportion of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/food stamps-participating households with children with no reported cash income increased from 5 to 15% from 1997 to 2019. In this article, we examine the relationship between changes in state cash assistance coverage under Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and the probability a SNAP-participating household with children reports no cash income. Using household-level data from the SNAP/food stamps Quality Control system (1996–2019; n = 491,059) merged with state-year data including measures of cash assistance coverage (ratio of families receiving aid to families in poverty and families receiving aid to single mother households below poverty), we estimated a set of logit models of the probability that households with children participating in SNAP reported no cash income. We found that higher levels of state TANF cash assistance coverage were associated with a reduced probability of households reporting no cash income and that this relationship was particularly focused in single-parent households, precisely those most affected by the changes in traditional cash welfare enacted in the mid-1990s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) is a federally funded grant program that provides nutrition incentives-subsidies for purchasing fruits and vegetables (FV)-to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants. GusNIP currently advances nutrition equity by improving FV access for people with low incomes, yet inequities exist within GusNIP. We sought to identify inequities in GusNIP at the community, organization, partner, and individual levels and develop recommendations for farm bill provisions to make the program more equitable. In Spring 2021, a group of nutrition incentive experts (n = 11) from across the country convened to discuss opportunities to enhance equity in GusNIP. The iterative recommendation development process included feedback from key stakeholders (n = 15) and focus group participants with GusNIP lived experience (n = 12). Eleven recommendations to advance equity in GusNIP in the farm bill emerged across six categories: (1) increase total GusNIP funding, (2) increase funding and support to lower-resourced organizations and impacted communities, (3) eliminate the match requirement, (4) support statewide expansion, (5) expand and diversify retailer participation, and (6) expand program marketing. Including these recommendations in the upcoming and future farm bills would equitably expand GusNIP for SNAP participants, program grantees, and communities across the country.

Food insecurity (FI) is associated with many adverse outcomes in college students. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, known as CalFresh in California) has been observed to alleviate FI; however, on college campuses, the benefits of food assistance programs are not well understood. This study investigated whether college students benefit from CalFresh participation. It was hypothesized that students would experience increased FI over time and that CalFresh participation would moderate the effect of FI on grade point average (GPA). A comprehensive FI and CalFresh questionnaires were distributed during the 2020-2021 academic year to 849 students. The chi-square test of independence assessed differences between FI and student factors. A Friedman test assessed differences in FI during the three quarters. Moderation analysis assessed whether CalFresh participation moderated FI's effect on GPA. Differences were observed among food security scores in Winter 2021 (median = 1.69) and Fall 2020 (median = 2.14; p = 0.013) and Spring 2020 (median = 2.17; p = 0.009). In the moderation model, the interaction of FI score and CalFresh participation was positively correlated with GPA (B = 0.11; p = 0.002). These results indicate that SNAP/CalFresh participation was particularly beneficial for mitigating the negative effects of FI on GPA. Given these benefits, encouraging SNAP/CalFresh enrollment should be a priority for university administrators.

Growing recognition of food insecurity experienced by college students has led to efforts on college campuses to provide students with food assistance benefits and related nutrition education. A Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program—Education (SNAP-Ed) program was developed for college students as one of these efforts. To explore program content, recruitment, and implementation through experiences of program implementers in a novel SNAP-Ed intervention among college students. This qualitative study used focus groups and a case study approach to elicit program implementers' experiences delivering SNAP-Ed to college students. Students, staff, and faculty (n = 26) implementing SNAP-Ed with college students experiencing food insecurity across eight campuses in the California State University system participated in 8 focus groups in 2021–2022. A process evaluation framework was used to evaluate content fit and orientation; recruitment, retention, and reach; and structure and capacity for implementation. Focus groups were recorded, transcribed, and coded via thematic analysis using NVivo (QSR International, Burlington, MA). Five themes were identified: (1) need for this work to extend college-based basic needs services; (2) importance of aligning programming with college student context/needs; (3) common factors important for attracting/engaging the audience; (4) program barriers; and (5) training/team sharing for extending ideas. Study findings suggest tailoring SNAP-Ed programming to the needs of college students experiencing food insecurity, such as integrating student-relevant cooking skills, recipes, and topics of interest. Additional intervention and research efforts may lead to a new model for serving college students with SNAP-Ed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We assessed store-level food availability, quality, variety, depth of stock, and cost at small Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)-authorized retailers and compared stocking patterns to proposed United States Department of Agriculture criteria. Food environment observations were conducted at 82 retailers from June to December 2019 in Pinellas County, Florida, and descriptively analyzed. Less than one-third of retailers stocked frozen fruit, fresh or frozen vegetables, tortillas, whole-wheat bread, low-fat milk, fresh or frozen meat, fish or meat alternatives, dried beans, or healthier frozen meals. Twenty-two and 26% had at least seven SNAP-eligible varieties of fruits and vegetables and protein products, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Examine whether the association between Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participation and diet quality is different by gender and household headship. Design: Quantitative, cross-sectional. Setting: The 2007-2018 waves of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Subjects: 6180 individuals aged 20 to 65 with household annual income below 130% of the poverty level. Measures: The outcome of diet quality was measured using the 2015 Healthy Eating Index (HEI) based on dietary intake from 24-hour diet recall. The exposures were self-reported participation in SNAP and socio-demographic variables. Analysis: Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression models. Results: The study found that female household heads had higher average total HEI scores relative to their male and non-head counterparts (β = 1.81, 95% CI: −.27, 3.88). However, for SNAP participants, female household heads had lower average total HEI scores (β = −3.67, 95% CI: −7.36,.11). Conclusion: Female household heads are more likely to experience difficulty in maintaining diet quality relative to their counterparts. The study suggests that intra-household effort allocation may play an important role in differentiating and maintaining diet quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Administrative requirements could disrupt sustained Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participation among income‐eligible individuals. To meet their food needs, low‐income individuals without consistent SNAP benefits may compromise on medication use, posing a risk to their health. The objective of this study is to examine the association of SNAP participation duration in a given year with cost‐related medication nonadherence (CRN) and emergency department (ED) use in income‐eligible individuals. Design: Cross‐sectional. Sample: Non‐elderly and elderly adults who used prescription medications and participated in SNAP the previous year in 2016–2018 National Health Interview Survey. Subsamples included individuals with specific chronic conditions. Measurements: CRN and ED usage. Results: SNAP participation for <12 months in the previous year was related to increased CRN and ED use in nonelderly adults taking prescription medication, as well as in those with hypertension, cardiovascular disease and asthma. Further, <12‐month SNAP participation was associated with greater odds of having at least one ED visit in nonelderly and elderly adults. Conclusions: Sustained SNAP participation could help income‐eligible individuals better adhere to their prescribed medications and reduce health complications requiring ED visits. Findings suggest the importance of addressing SNAP participation gaps among income‐eligible individuals in health care settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction/Purpose: Poverty-reduction efforts that seek to support households with children and enable healthy family functioning are vital to produce positive economic, health, developmental, and upward mobility outcomes. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is an effective poverty-reduction policy for individuals and families. This study investigated the non-nutritional effects that families experience when receiving SNAP benefits. Methods: We conducted a scoping review using the PRISMA Guidelines and strategic search terms across seven databases from 01 January 2008 to 01 February 2023 (n=2456). Data extraction involved two researchers performing title-abstract reviews. Full-text articles were assessed for eligibility (n=103). Forty articles were included for data retrieval. Results: SNAP positively impacts family health across the five categories of the Family Stress Model (Healthcare utilization for children and parents, Familial allocation of resources, Impact on child development and behavior, Mental health, and Abuse or neglect). Discussion/Conclusion: SNAP is a highly effective program with growing evidence that it positively impacts family health and alleviates poverty. Four priority policy actions are discussed to overcome the unintentional barriers for SNAP: distributing benefits more than once a month; increasing SNAP benefits for recipients; softening the abrupt end of benefits when wages increase; and coordinating SNAP eligibility and enrollment with other programs. Significance: What is already known on this subject?: Poverty-reduction efforts that invest in children have especially significant positive benefits by producing positive economic, health, developmental, and upward mobility outcomes. SNAP is among the leading poverty-reducing policies and enrolls the largest number of participants for both nutritional and non-nutritional benefits. What this study adds?: To our knowledge, no study has synthesized the non-nutritional impact of SNAP on family health. We found that SNAP positively impacts family health across five categories of the Family Stress Model (Healthcare utilization for children and parents, Familial allocation of resources, Impact on child development and behavior, Mental health, and Abuse or neglect). Further, we present four policy actions resulting from this scoping review that deserve attention from policymakers, program administrators, and retailer establishments: distribute benefits more than once a month; increase SNAP benefits for recipients; soften the abrupt end of benefits when wages increase; and coordinate SNAP eligibility and enrollment with other programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyze the role played by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in alleviating or exacerbating inequality across racial and ethnic groups in food expenditures and in the resources needed to meet basic food needs (the "food resource gap"). To do this, we propose a simple framework that decomposes differences across groups in SNAP benefit transfer levels into three components: eligibility, participation, and generosity. This decomposition is then linked to differences in food expenditures and the food resource gap. Our results reveal that among the three components, differences in eligibility contribute the most to SNAP benefits differentials for Black and Hispanic households relative to White households. Given that SNAP is often a target of policy changes, we employ the framework to provide counterfactual analyses of how selected SNAP policy changes can impact group differences in benefits and, ultimately, disparities in food expenditures and the food resource gap. The proposed framework can be applied to analyze other safety net programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) aims to improve food security among low‐income households and is one of the largest safety net programs in the United States. SNAP benefits are legislated at the federal level and fixed across the contiguous United States. Hence, due to regional food price differences, the real value of SNAP benefits is unequal and could have consequential impacts on program participation. This paper estimates the extent to which SNAP purchasing power differs across states by constructing the first spatially and temporally consistent Thrifty Food Plan (TFP) price index using retail scanner data for the period 2006–2016. We find that the difference in the real value of SNAP benefits between the highest and the lowest cost states ranges from 5% to 9% for a household of four during the sample period. Subsequently, we estimate the effect of real SNAP benefits on program participation. Our results show that a 10% increase in SNAP purchasing power leads to a 0.9 percentage point increase in the SNAP caseload per capita and an 8.1 percentage point increase in the SNAP caseload per eligible individual. We show that these effects would be overlooked if the TFP price index is not corrected for expenditure and outlet biases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The U.S. safety net, which provides critical aid to households with low income, is composed of a patchwork of separate programs, and many people with low income benefit from accessing

We examined the associations of a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) point-of-purchase financial incentive program at farmers markets with produce purchase, consumption, and food security outcomes. We conducted cross-sectional, interviewer-administered intercept surveys with 325 adult SNAP participants at six incentive programs, five comparison farmers markets, and nine comparison supermarkets in California in the summer of 2018. The program provided dollar-for-dollar point-of-purchase incentives with $10 or $20 maximum at participating farmers markets. We measured produce consumption by an NCI screener; food security by the USDA 6-item screener; and program satisfaction with open-ended questions asked of a subsample. The quantitative analysis involved multilevel linear and logistic regression, adjusted for covariates. Qualitative data were coded and analyzed thematically. Shoppers at farmers markets offering $20 incentives had significantly higher odds of purchasing most of their produce at farmers markets than shoppers at $10 incentive (3.1, CI: 1.1, 8.7) or comparison markets (8.1, CI 2.2, 29.7). Incentives were not associated with quantitatively measured produce consumption. Each additional incentive dollar was associated with reduced odds of food insecurity (0.987, CI 0.976, 0.999). Participants appreciated the program; supermarket shoppers lacked awareness. Point-of-purchase incentives are appreciated and underutilized. Further understanding of optimal program design for produce consumption and food security impact is needed.

Abstract Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic increased food insufficiency: a severe form of food insecurity. Drawing on an ecological framework, we aimed to understand factors that contributed to changes in food insufficiency from April to December 2020, in a large urban population hard hit by the pandemic. Design: We conducted internet surveys every 2 weeks in April–December 2020, including a subset of items from the Food Insecurity Experience Scale. Longitudinal analysis identified predictors of food insufficiency, using fixed effects models. Setting: Los Angeles County, which has a diverse population of 10 million residents. Participants: A representative sample of 1535 adults in Los Angeles County who are participants in the Understanding Coronavirus in America tracking survey. Results: Rates of food insufficiency spiked in the first year of the pandemic, especially among participants living in poverty, in middle adulthood and with larger households. Government food assistance from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program was significantly associated with reduced food insufficiency over time, while other forms of assistance such as help from family and friends or stimulus funds were not. Conclusions: The findings highlight that during a crisis, there is value in rapidly monitoring food insufficiency and investing in government food benefits.

To assess the barriers and facilitators to online food purchasing through a meal kit and grocery shopping website titled NY SNAP Express among Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) beneficiaries. A purposive sample of SNAP-eligible adults residing in New York State participated in interviews guided by the Capabilities, Opportunities, Motivations, and Behaviors Model. Barriers to online food purchasing among participants (n = 32) include physiological and health conditions, the weight of food, technology, language, the price of foods, transportation challenges, the stigma associated with SNAP, and concerns regarding the quantity and quality of meal kits. Facilitators include health and nutrition improvements, knowledge and skills, saving money, culturally relevant meals, increased efficiency in food purchases and preparation, and customization. Online platforms such as NY SNAP Express have the potential to increase nutritious food access and resources among SNAP recipients; however, improvements are necessary to meet the needs of its audience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This mixed methods study assessed the perceptions of food choices among SNAP participants and SNAP-eligible non-participants when exposed to two alternative SNAP policy options: restrictions on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and incentives for fruit and vegetable (FV) purchases. Twelve focus groups that included a randomized food choice experiment were conducted in seven counties in Georgia, involving 73 participants. Participants had a favorable view toward incentivizing FV; responses toward SSB restrictions were mixed. FV incentives were associated with greater spending on FV and lower spending on SSBs, and SSB restriction was associated with lower spending on SSBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper estimates the intra‐pandemic effects of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participation on the risk of food insecurity over a period when the majority of SNAP beneficiaries received emergency allotments. Within‐person estimations using longitudinal data from the 2019–2020 National Health Interview Survey reveal that, relative to income‐eligible SNAP nonparticipants, the likelihood of food insecurity was 37% lower over August–December 2020 among SNAP participants. A heterogeneity analysis indicates that this was mainly driven by higher income SNAP participants who received larger SNAP benefits through movements from below the maximum benefit for their household size to the maximum. Indeed, compared to income‐eligible SNAP nonparticipants, the risk of food insecurity was 78% (6%) lower over August–December 2020 among SNAP participants with above‐median (below‐median) family income to poverty ratios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines policy changes to and trends in five cash or near-cash income support programs for low-income workers and their families from 2009 to 2019. Our analyses show that the safety net expanded during the recession and then contracted via the tightening of eligibility rules and expiration of most temporary expansions for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), unemployment insurance (UI), and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF). Expansions for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC) over the period 2009 to 2019 align with a decades-long trend of social welfare policy reinforcing or enforcing labor force participation. Caseloads fell mostly rapidly for UI, which is explicitly designed as countercyclical support; and for TANF, which maintained high levels of administrative burden. We conclude with a cross-program discussion of the state of the social safety net in the pandemic era and postpandemic recovery.

The negative impacts of the Great Recession (GR) (2007 to 2009) on the lives of families with low incomes warrant social work concerns about how well antipoverty policy responded to meet economic needs over this period and since. Given America's long-standing tension between welfare state adequacy and market-oriented policies, how well did the safety net respond to the economic downturn? Did GR-era changes reverse or accelerate trends in public assistance? This article examines key policy changes and indicators of caseloads, inclusion, and generosity for three antipoverty policies: the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly Food Stamp Program), and the Earned Income Tax Credit from 2007 to 2017. Authors' analysis shows a continuation of market-oriented U.S. antipoverty policy. Authors argue that the reemphasis of conditioning benefits on employment undermines the countercyclical feature of the social safety net and perpetuates the inequitable redistribution of public resources between those inside and outside of the labor market. Authors discuss social workers' role in strengthening antipoverty policies to improve the economic well-being of people with low incomes and the economic justice of the social safety net.

Introduction: Low-income immigrants who are eligible to participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participate at lower rates compared to non-immigrants. Immigrant households may be more likely to participate in SNAP if they live in areas with policies that integrate them into society and protect them from deportation. Methods: Data on low-income immigrant households came from the 2019 American Community Survey (N = 87,678). The outcome was whether any household member received SNAP in the previous 12 months. Immigrant policy exposures came from two sources: the State Immigration Policy Resource, which includes 18 immigrant criminalizing and integrating policies, and a database that identified ‘sanctuary policies’ (SP), which we summarized at the county level. Multivariable logistic regression adjusted for person/household-level and area-level confounders. Results: Living in a jurisdiction with a SP was associated with 21% higher odds of enrolling in SNAP compared to living in a jurisdiction without a SP (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.21, 95% CI=1.11,1.31). Relative to the least immigrant friendly states, living in the most immigrant-friendly states was associated with 16% higher odds of SNAP enrollment (aOR=1.16, 95%CI=1.06–1.28). When SP and state-level immigrant friendly policy environment were cross-classified, SNAP participation was 23% and 26% higher for those living in jurisdictions with one- and both- exposures, respectively, relative to those with neither (aOR 1.23; CI 1.12,1.36; aOR 1.26; CI 1.15,1.37). Conclusions: Many at high risk of food insecurity – including immigrants and citizens in households with immigrants – are eligible for SNAP but under-enroll. Policies that welcome and safeguard immigrants could reduce under enrollment.

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic increased food insufficiency: a severe form of food insecurity. Drawing on an ecological framework, we aimed to understand factors that contributed to changes in food insufficiency from April to December 2020, in a large urban population hard hit by the pandemic. Design: We conducted internet surveys every 2 weeks in April–December 2020, including a subset of items from the Food Insecurity Experience Scale. Longitudinal analysis identified predictors of food insufficiency, using fixed effects models. Setting: Los Angeles County, which has a diverse population of 10 million residents. Participants: A representative sample of 1535 adults in Los Angeles County who are participants in the Understanding Coronavirus in America tracking survey. Results: Rates of food insufficiency spiked in the first year of the pandemic, especially among participants living in poverty, in middle adulthood and with larger households. Government food assistance from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program was significantly associated with reduced food insufficiency over time, while other forms of assistance such as help from family and friends or stimulus funds were not. Conclusions: The findings highlight that during a crisis, there is value in rapidly monitoring food insufficiency and investing in government food benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Black people are more likely to be diagnosed with hypertension and to experience food insecurity and antihypertensive medication non-adherence compared to White people in the U.S. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)—a means-tested program that targets food insecurity has been shown to affect health outcomes. This study analyzed the relationship between SNAP participation and antihypertensive medication adherence among older Black Medicaid-insured individuals. METHODS This is a retrospective cohort study using linked 2006–2014 state of Missouri Medicaid and SNAP administrative claims data. Analyses were restricted to older (≥60 years) Black individuals who were continuously enrolled in Medicaid for 12 months following their first observed claim for hypertension at or after age 60 years with at least one pharmacy claim (n  = 10,693). Our outcome measure is a dichotomous measure of antihypertensive medication adherence defined using the Proportion of Days Covered (≥80% PDC = 1). The exposure variables are four measures of SNAP participation. RESULTS A higher proportion of SNAP participants were adherent to their antihypertensive medications compared to non-SNAP participants (43.5% vs. 32.0%). On multivariable analyses, compared to non-SNAP participants there was an increased likelihood of antihypertensive medication adherence among SNAP participants (prevalence ratio [PR] = 1.25; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.16–1.35). Compared to those who participated in SNAP for 1–3 months during the 12-month continuous enrollment, there was an increased likelihood of antihypertensive medication adherence among those who were enrolled for 10–12 months (PR = 1.41; 95% CI = 1.08–1.85). CONCLUSIONS Medicaid-insured older Black adults who were SNAP participants had a higher likelihood of antihypertensive medication adherence compared to non-SNAP participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The Affordable Care Act (ACA) provisions, especially Medicaid expansion, are believed to have “spillover effects,” such as boosting participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) among eligible individuals in the United States (US). However, little empirical evidence exists about the impact of the ACA, with its focus on the dual eligible population, on SNAP participation. The current study investigates whether the ACA, under an explicit policy aim of enhancing the interface between Medicare and Medicaid, has improved participation in the SNAP among low-income older Medicare beneficiaries. Methods We extracted 2009 through 2018 data from the US Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) for low-income (≤ %138 Federal Poverty Level [FPL]) older Medicare beneficiaries (n = 50,466; aged ≥ 65), and low-income (≤ %138 FPL) younger adults (aged 20 to %138 FPL incomes, younger Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, and older adults without Medicare were excluded from this study. Using a quasi-experimental comparative interrupted time-series design, we examined (1) whether ACA’s support for the Medicare-Medicaid dual-eligible program, through facilitating the online Medicaid application process, was associated with an increase in SNAP uptake among low-income older Medicare beneficiaries, and (2) in the instance of an association, to assess the magnitude of SNAP uptake that can be explicitly attributed to the policy’s implementation. The outcome, SNAP participation, was measured annually from 2009 through 2018. The year 2014 was set as the intervention point when the Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office started facilitating Medicaid applications online for eligible Medicare beneficiaries. Results Overall, the change in the probability of SNAP enrollment from the pre- to post-intervention period was 17.4 percentage points higher among low-income older Medicare enrollees, compared to similarly low-income, SNAP-eligible, younger adults (β = 0.174, P

Abstract Objective: Food pantries and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are widely available resources for individuals facing food insecurity, yet the dietary quality of individuals using both programmes is not well characterised. We describe the dietary intake of individuals in North Texas who use both food pantries and SNAP to identify nutritional gaps and opportunities to improve food assistance programmes. Design: We analysed baseline data from a randomised controlled trial examining food security and dietary intake. At baseline, we administered the validated, 26-item Dietary Screener Questionnaire (DSQ). We calculated descriptive statistics for dietary intake variables and compared with the 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommended intake values. Setting: Two large food pantries in Dallas County, TX. Participants: Eligible participants were English or Spanish speaking adults receiving SNAP benefits who had used the food pantry within the last 4 months. Results: We analysed baseline DSQ data from 320 participants (mean age 47 years; 90% female; 45% Black or African American; 37% Hispanic or Latino). Despite receiving SNAP benefits and food pantry assistance, most participants did not meet the minimum recommended intake values for fruits (88.4%), vegetables (97.4%), fibre (90·7%), whole grains (99·7%), dairy products (98·4%) and Ca (83·4%). Furthermore, 73·2% of participants exceeded the maximum recommended intake for added sugar. Still, the gap between median daily intake and recommended daily intake could be partially bridged with food obtained through current food assistance programmes. Conclusions: Multilevel, coordinated approaches within both SNAP and food pantry networks are needed to improve diet quality in individuals receiving food assistance.

Examine beverage intake among families with low income by household participation in federal food assistance programs. Cross-sectional study conducted in fall/winter 2020 via an online survey. Mothers of young children insured by Medicaid at the time of the child's birth (N = 493). Mothers reported household federal food assistance program participation, later categorized as Supplementation Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) only, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP) only, both WIC and SNAP, and neither. Mothers reported beverage intake for themselves and their children aged 1–4 years. Negative binomial and ordinal logistic regression. After accounting for sociodemographic differences between groups, mothers from households participating in WIC and SNAP consumed sugar-sweetened beverages (incidence rate ratio, 1.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14–2.30; P = 0.007) and bottled water (odds ratio, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.05–2.96; P = 0.03) more frequently than mothers from households in neither program. Children from households participating in WIC and SNAP also consumed soda (incidence rate ratio, 6.07; 95% CI, 1.80–20.45; P = 0.004) more frequently than children in either program. Few differences in intake were observed for mothers or children participating in only WIC or SNAP vs both programs or neither program. Households participating in both WIC and SNAP may benefit from additional policy and programmatic interventions to limit sugar-sweetened beverage intake and reduce spending on bottled water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While California has the biggest number of SNAP recipients in the nation, participation rates are far lower than the average national participation rates. This study shows that California presents a playbook of how SNAP participation rates are suppressed due to a unique combination of factors including, the high administrative cost per case, obstacles facing senior citizens, the enduring legacy of the negative cultural and political sentiments toward immigrants and welfare recipients, as well as the application of restrictive SNAP policies such as fingerprinting SNAP applicants and banning convicted drug felons from participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The federal government shutdown from 22 December 2018 to 25 January 2019 created an unprecedented disruption in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. We conducted a cross-sectional qualitative study to begin to capture how the disruption affected food security and wellbeing among a small sample of California SNAP participants. We collected data from 26 low-income adults in four focus groups in four diverse California counties. We found that participants routinely struggle to secure an adequate and healthy diet in the context of high costs of living, the shutdown and benefit disruption added to participants' stress and uncertainty and exacerbated food insecurity, and it diminished some participants' faith in government. Participants reported that, while having additional benefits in January felt like a relief from typical end-of-month deprivation, the subsequent extended gap between benefit distributions and a lack of clarity about future benefits caused cascading effects as participants later had to divert money from other expenses to buy food and faced added uncertainty about future economic stability. Additionally, the shutdown highlighted challenges related to the availability, timing, and tone of communications between participants and SNAP agencies. Participants recommended that SNAP adjust benefit and eligibility levels to better address costs of living, improve customer service, and avoid future disruptions.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH) launched the Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention (NEOP) Project in fall 2013. As the local arm of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed), this project partnered with faith-based organizations (FBOs) in Los Angeles County to implement policy, systems, and environmental change interventions (PSEs) at selected church sites, alongside the usual delivery of health education. A 2-part programmatic assessment was conducted to better understand how the NEOP Faith Based Project at one of the FBOs was implemented during the 2013-2016 SNAP-Ed funding cycle. A qualitative component (key informant interviews) sought to understand and describe the PSE implementation process at each of the participating church sites, whereas the quantitative component (surveys) focused on assessing congregant perceptions about their awareness of the PSEs, their knowledge and beliefs about health, and their self-reported health behaviors after exposure to onsite changes. Among congregants who participated in the survey, 52% expressed desire for more health education classes. However, only 37% reported being aware of them at church sites that hosted them. When asked to compare their behaviors for "today" versus 6 months ago, more than half reported greater interest in eating more fruits and vegetables (66%), choosing water over soda (69%), and becoming more physically active (59%). Results from the NEOP Project have implications for how local health departments could partner with FBOs to outreach and promote health among congregants, particularly for those who are at high-risk of diet-related diseases due to poor nutrition and obesity.

This analysis describes the socioeconomic attributes of neighborhoods adjacent to low-income neighborhoods with ≥50% of households that are Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) eligible. It compares the pricing, availability, and quality of fresh produce between these neighborhoods in Los Angeles County. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health utilized 2013-2014 community-level data from the Communities of Excellence in Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity Prevention (CX3) Project to examine the geographic patterns of fresh produce purchases and accessibility in SNAP-Ed eligible census tracts. Community indicators collected by CX3 included information on pricing, availability, and quality of fruits and vegetables from grocery stores (n = 108) in these eligible neighborhoods (n = 21). Correlation statistics were generated to explore the effects of adjacent neighborhoods' socioeconomic status on fruit and vegetable pricing, availability, and quality in the selected neighborhoods ("CX3 neighborhoods"). Poverty data were obtained from the United States Census' American Community Survey. Residents of CX3 neighborhoods that were surrounded by mixed income neighborhoods paid 43% more for fresh produce than CX3 neighborhoods surrounded by other similarly low-income neighborhoods (median produce price, $1.50 versus $1.05). Study results suggest that while quality of produce remains an issue, it is the higher pricing of fresh produce in CX3 neighborhoods - i.e., in the presence of other surrounding mixed income neighborhoods (those with relatively higher income) - that appeared to potentiate food access barriers. Future SNAP-Ed efforts should take this pricing pattern under consideration when designing, planning, and/or implementing nutrition-related programs in these neighborhoods.

IntroductionThe Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the largest federal nutrition assistance program in the United States, and played a critical role in mitigating food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, the updated Thrifty Food Plan (TFP), which provides the basis of SNAP benefit allotments, led to a 21% monthly benefit increase for SNAP participants. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of the TFP re-evaluation on food insecurity, diet quality, and mental health using a natural experiment design.MethodsA longitudinal, web-based study was conducted among 1,004 United States adults with incomes at or below $65,000 in September 2021 (prior to the policy change) and February 2022 (after the policy change). Outcomes of interest included household food security, diet quality, perceived stress, and anxiety/depression, assessed using validated instruments. We used difference-in-differences regression modeling to assess the effects of the policy change on participants’ outcomes, adjusting for sociodemographic covariates. Qualitative responses to open-ended questions about the policy change were analyzed using thematic analysis.ResultsPrior to the policy change, SNAP participants had significantly worse food insecurity, lower diet quality scores, and higher perceived stress and anxiety/depression when compared to non-participants (all Ps 0.05). Qualitative responses suggested that rising food prices and growing inflation potentially negated the benefits of the policy change; however, most SNAP participants described the added benefits as helpful in purchasing additional food supplies and offsetting other household costs during this period.DiscussionThe TFP benefit increase may have helped to prevent inflation-related disparities in food insecurity and health outcomes from widening among SNAP participants and non-participants. Further research is needed to determine the long-term impacts of this policy change.

Background: The Affordable Care Act (ACA) provisions, especially Medicaid expansion, are believed to have "spillover effects," such as boosting participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) among eligible individuals in the United States (US). However, little empirical evidence exists about the impact of the ACA, with its focus on the dual eligible population, on SNAP participation. The current study investigates whether the ACA, under an explicit policy aim of enhancing the interface between Medicare and Medicaid, has improved participation in the SNAP among low-income older Medicare beneficiaries. Methods: We extracted 2009 through 2018 data from the US Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) for low-income (≤ %138 Federal Poverty Level [FPL]) older Medicare beneficiaries (n = 50,466; aged ≥ 65), and low-income (≤ %138 FPL) younger adults (aged 20 to < 65 years, n = 190,443). MEPS respondents of > %138 FPL incomes, younger Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, and older adults without Medicare were excluded from this study. Using a quasi-experimental comparative interrupted time-series design, we examined (1) whether ACA's support for the Medicare-Medicaid dual-eligible program, through facilitating the online Medicaid application process, was associated with an increase in SNAP uptake among low-income older Medicare beneficiaries, and (2) in the instance of an association, to assess the magnitude of SNAP uptake that can be explicitly attributed to the policy's implementation. The outcome, SNAP participation, was measured annually from 2009 through 2018. The year 2014 was set as the intervention point when the Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office started facilitating Medicaid applications online for eligible Medicare beneficiaries. Results: Overall, the change in the probability of SNAP enrollment from the pre- to post-intervention period was 17.4 percentage points higher among low-income older Medicare enrollees, compared to similarly low-income, SNAP-eligible, younger adults (β = 0.174, P <.001). This boost in SNAP uptake was significant and more apparent among older White (β = 0.137, P =.049), Asians (β = 0.408, P =.047), and all non-Hispanic adults (β = 0.030, P <.001). Conclusions: The ACA had a positive, measurable effect on SNAP participation among older Medicare beneficiaries. Policymakers should consider additional approaches that link enrollment to multiple programs to increase SNAP participation. Further, there may be a need for additional, targeted efforts to address structural barriers to uptake among African Americans and Hispanics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Food pantries and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are widely available resources for individuals facing food insecurity, yet the dietary quality of individuals using both programmes is not well characterised. We describe the dietary intake of individuals in North Texas who use both food pantries and SNAP to identify nutritional gaps and opportunities to improve food assistance programmes. Design: We analysed baseline data from a randomised controlled trial examining food security and dietary intake. At baseline, we administered the validated, 26-item Dietary Screener Questionnaire (DSQ). We calculated descriptive statistics for dietary intake variables and compared with the 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommended intake values. Setting: Two large food pantries in Dallas County, TX. Participants: Eligible participants were English or Spanish speaking adults receiving SNAP benefits who had used the food pantry within the last 4 months. Results: We analysed baseline DSQ data from 320 participants (mean age 47 years; 90% female; 45% Black or African American; 37% Hispanic or Latino). Despite receiving SNAP benefits and food pantry assistance, most participants did not meet the minimum recommended intake values for fruits (88.4%), vegetables (97.4%), fibre (90·7%), whole grains (99·7%), dairy products (98·4%) and Ca (83·4%). Furthermore, 73·2% of participants exceeded the maximum recommended intake for added sugar. Still, the gap between median daily intake and recommended daily intake could be partially bridged with food obtained through current food assistance programmes. Conclusions: Multilevel, coordinated approaches within both SNAP and food pantry networks are needed to improve diet quality in individuals receiving food assistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: COVID-19 caused stark increases in food insecurity. To maintain food provision, policy changes to the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) were instated. This longitudinal study examined (1) food security patterns across the timeline of COVID-19; (2) the relationship among food security patterns, NSLP/SNAP use, and parent feeding practices; and (3) parent perceptions of NSLP/SNAP policy changes. Methods: A total of 333 US parents completed online surveys during the COVID-19 pandemic: May 2020 (T1), September 2020 (T2), and May 2021 (T3). Food security and parent feeding practices were reported at each time point; pre–COVID-19 behaviors were retrospectively reported at T1. Use and perceptions of NSLP/SNAP policy changes were reported at T3. We examined associations between food security and parent feeding practices using repeated-measures mixed models. Results: The percentage of parents with very low food security increased from pre–COVID-19 (9.6%) to T1 (29.1%) and remained elevated at T3 (16.8%). One-third (31.2%) of families fluctuated between food security and food insecurity, with 27.0% remaining food insecure at T3. Thirty percent of consistently food-insecure families reported not receiving school-provided meals, and 45% did not receive SNAP benefits. Most parents reported that pickup school meal sites (71.4%), Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer cards (51.4%), and increased SNAP benefits (79.6%) were beneficial. Initial changes in parent feeding practices reported at T1 returned to pre–COVID-19 levels by T3, yet concern for child overweight remained significantly elevated. Conclusion: Continued policy efforts to support food-insecure families via expanded food access in NSLP/SNAP are critical. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food retailers are key stakeholders in the development, implementation, and effectiveness of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) nutrition pilot programs. Qualitative interviews were conducted to gather insight from food retailers regarding the feasibility of proposed strategies to improve food choices among SNAP participants. Two corporate and six local-level food retailer managers were identified for interviews based on SNAP participation, rural- urban code, and type of food retail settings in the selected counties. Qualitative thematic analysis was performed by four research team members, and themes were identified via consensus. Marketing, incentive, and disincentive program models were well-received, while restriction and stocking standards models were less well-received. Food retailers viewed simple programs with easy implementation and educational components positively. Driving sales and programs that align with corporate and social responsibility goals were important factors related to willingness to participate in pilot programs. Insights from this present study can inform future pilot programs and promote food retailer buy-in.

This brief summarizes key points and critical questions about the “Future of SNAP,” highlighting approaches to improve nutrition policy to ensure health and food equity nationwide. This summary emerged from a workshop held in May 2015 at the University of California, Berkeley (UCB), which brought together leading researchers from UCB and other universities as well as representatives from respected non-profit organizations and government agencies.

Surveillance data indicate that food security rates increased among Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020 and 2021) compared with pre-pandemic (2019), but this could have been due to increased participation from better resourced households. Our objective was to examine if demographic differences between SNAP-participating households in each year were responsible for the increased prevalence of food secure households. We calculated the observed 30-d food security prevalence among SNAP-participating households for each year. We used indirect standardisation to produce expected 2020 and 2021 prevalences with 2019 as the standard population using household size, income, age, sex, race, Hispanic ethnicity, presence of children, single parent household, metropolitan status and census region. We calculated standardised prevalence ratios (SPRs) to understand if the observed prevalence was higher than expected given any changes in the demographic profile compared to 2019. The Current Population Survey data were collected by the United States Census Bureau and Department of Agriculture. Our sample included 5,245 SNAP-participating households. The observed prevalence of food secure households increased by 3⋅6 percentage points comparing 2019 to 2020 (SPR = 1⋅06, 95 % confidence interval = 1⋅00, 1⋅11) and by 8⋅6 percentage comparing 2019 to 2021 (SPR = 1⋅13, 95 % confidence interval = 1⋅07, 1⋅18). The greater prevalence of food secure SNAP households during the pandemic did not appear to be attributable to socio-demographic differences compared to pre-pandemic. Despite hesitance among policymakers to expand or enhance social safety net programmes, permanently incorporating COVID-19-related policy interventions could lessen food insecurity in years to come. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known regarding the intrastudent barriers to accessing and utilising the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). To examine college students' knowledge of allowable items and perception of what items should be allowed for purchase with (SNAP) benefits, particularly by food security status and enrolment in SNAP in the past 12 months, a cross-sectional, online survey was conducted among 844 college students from nine higher education institutions in a single Midwestern state. Many students were unaware that certain food items were already covered by SNAP, leading them to express a desire for these items to be included. Additionally, there were misconceptions about the eligibility of nonfood items for purchase using SNAP benefits. Beyond traditional food items, students highly desired the inclusion of necessities such as toiletries and cooking equipment. Improved outreach and educational campaigns could be developed to clarify the eligible items and scope of the programme, enabling students to make informed decisions about their SNAP benefit usage., (© 2025 British Nutrition Foundation.)

Abstract Background The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the largest anti-hunger program in the United States. Two proposed interventions to encourage healthier food expenditures among SNAP participants have generated significant debate: financial incentives for fruits and vegetables, and restrictions on foods high in added sugar. To date, however, no study has assessed the impact of these interventions on the benefit cycle, a pattern of rapid depletion of SNAP benefits that has been linked to worsening nutrition and health outcomes over the benefit month. Methods Low-income households not currently enrolled in SNAP (n = 249) received benefits every 4 weeks for 12 weeks on a study-specific benefit card. Households were randomized to one of four study arms: 1) incentive (30% incentive for fruits and vegetables purchased with study benefits), 2) restriction (not allowed to buy sugar-sweetened beverages, sweet baked goods, or candy using study benefits), 3) incentive plus restriction, or 4) control (no incentive or restriction). Weekly household food expenditures were evaluated using generalized estimating equations. Results Compared to the control group, financial incentives increased fruit and vegetable purchases, but only in the first 2 weeks after benefit disbursement. Restrictions decreased expenditures on foods high in added sugar throughout the benefit month, but the magnitude of the impact decreased as the month progressed. Notably, restrictions mitigated cyclical expenditures. Conclusions Policies to improve nutrition outcomes among SNAP participants should consider including targeted interventions in the second half of the month to address the benefit cycle and attendant nutrition outcomes. Trial registration ClinicalTrial.gov, NCT02643576 . Retrospectively registered December 22, 2014.

To describe state agencies' implementation of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the first year of the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, barriers and facilitators to SNAP implementation, and recommendations to improve SNAP implementation. Qualitative methodology guided by Bullock's determinants of policy implementation framework using 7 semistructured, virtual focus groups in April 2021. Twenty-six states representing all 7 US Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service regions. Four focus groups with state-level SNAP administrators and 3 focus groups with state-level SNAP supportive services (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - Education , Employment & Training, and Outreach) supervisors (n = 62). Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program implementation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thematic analysis using a phronetic iterative approach. Six primary themes emerged: the policy response, technology needs, collaboration, participant communication, funding realities, and equity. Implementation challenges included the design of waivers in the early pandemic response, inadequate federal guidance and funding, outdated technology, and prepandemic regulations limiting state authority. Modernized technology systems, availability of virtual programming, partnerships, and enhanced benefits facilitated SNAP implementation. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program administrators adapted their programs to deliver services virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic. These experiences highlighted the importance of certain policy determinants, such as modernized technology and streamlined application processes, to improve outcomes for SNAP participants and staff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: TO understand how families receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) conceptualize healthy eating and its relationship to child development. METHODS: This study is a secondary analysis of in-depth, in-home qualitative interviews. 30 caregivers with children between the ages of 4 and 10 years old participating in SNAP in Baltimore, MD, were asked about food purchasing resources and strategies. Two independent coders re-analyzed primary data using an iterative process to identify a priori themes related to caregivers' conceptualization of healthy eating and emergent themes related to the ways families use SNAP benefits. Themes were identified via content analysis and revised until consensus was reached. RESULTS: Participants demonstrated knowledge of nutritious food groups, specific unhealthy nutrients, and the importance of food in managing chronic conditions. However, the importance of nutrition was balanced with the need for ready-made foods that children could safely prepare on their own. shelf stable goods, and low-cost foods. Emergent themes identified caregivers' views of health-related impacts of food beyond nutrition. including the role of food as: a parenting tool to support child socialization and development, a means of creating experiences unique to childhood, and a mechanism for promoting family cohesion. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests families receiving SNAP use benefits to best serve children's well-being while conceptualizing the child health benefits of food as extending beyond nutrition. Future policy interventions aimed at optimizing SNAP should address the potential for nutrition assistance to foster positive child social and emotional development among low-income families while meeting nutritional needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) plays an integral role in reducing children's food insecurity. However, little is known about its effect on food insecurity of children in U.S. immigrant households, who are more likely to be food insecure and less likely to take advantage of SNAP. I addressed this knowledge gap by analyzing data from the 2010 to 2016 Current Population Survey-Food Security Supplement using the switching regression model. The results indicated that SNAP reduced the probability of food insecurity among children in U.S. immigrant and nonimmigrant households by 23.3 and 21.0 percentage points, respectively. Therefore, SNAP was more successful in reducing children's food insecurity in immigrant households compared with nonimmigrant households. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]