Objective
The objective of this study was to determine characteristics of Plan, Shop, Save, Cook (PSSC) participants that are associated with greater response to the program.
Target audience
n=1373 adults, 62% Hispanic, 24% non-Hispanic white, 8% non-Hispanic black, 6% other.
Theory, Prior Research, Rationale
Lack of resource management skills is associated with greater food insecurity in low-income populations. The University of California CalFresh Nutrition Education Program implemented the 4-lesson PSSC program in 2011-12 to improve food resource management while making healthful choices in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) adults.
Description
At enrollment (pre) and 1 month later (post), PSSC participants completed a 6-item food behavior survey, indicating the frequency (0=never to 4=always) of planning meals, using a list, comparing prices, reading labels, thinking about healthy choices, and eating varied meals. They also completed one item related to food insecurity (running out of food, 0=never to 4=always).
Evaluation
The percent of participants reporting improvements in food behaviors ranged from 54% in reading labels to 35% in comparing prices. Before PSSC, food behaviors and food security did not differ among SNAP recipients (n=866) and SNAP-eligible nonrecipients (nonSNAP, n=506). Greater pre-post change in mean (SD) food behavior scores was observed in nonSNAP compared to SNAP participants [+4.5(3.8) vs. +3.9(3.7), p < 0.02 Wilcoxon test]. However, pre-post change in the six food behaviors was correlated with greater food security only in SNAP participants (Pearson’s correlation coefficient r=0.17, p <0.0001).
Conclusions and Implications
Statewide evaluation can be useful in refining messages for different audiences in the SNAP-Ed program.
Funding
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Education, University of California CalFresh.
Article info
Publication history
P40
Identification
Copyright
© 2013 Published by Elsevier Inc.
