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Research Brief| Volume 48, ISSUE 1, P70-76.e1, January 2016

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Reducing Food Insecurity and Improving Fruit and Vegetable Intake Among Farmers' Market Incentive Program Participants

Published:November 17, 2015DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2015.10.003

      Abstract

      Objective

      To determine whether participation in a farmers' market incentive pilot program had an impact on food security and fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake of participants.

      Methods

      Participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program were eligible to receive a dollar-per-dollar match up to $10/wk in farmers' market incentives. The researchers used a pretest-posttest design to measure F&V intake and food security status of 54 adult participants before and after receiving farmers' market incentives. The 6-item Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System questionnaire and US Household Food Security Survey Module were used to measure F&V intake and food security, respectively. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare scores of F&V intake.

      Results

      After receiving incentives, fewer individuals reported experiencing food insecurity–related behaviors. A significantly increased intake (P < .05) was found among selected vegetables.

      Conclusion and Implications

      Participation in a farmers' market incentive program was positively related to greater food security and intake of select vegetables among participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

      Key Words

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