Examining a Wisconsin Farmers' Market SNAP Incentive Program From 2018-2023 Part II

Abstract

Food insecurity is a significant issue facing many American households. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides increased access to food for families in need. Additionally, fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption has been shown to improve health and reduce the risk of a variety of chronic diseases. However, poor nutrition among children and adults, including low FV intake have contributed to rising rates of obesity in America. It is particularly challenging for low-income households to purchase/eat the recommended amount of FV. Farmers’ markets offer a wide variety of fresh, local and healthy foods, especially FV, but data show that low-income households are much less likely to shop at farmers’ markets. The Eau Claire Downtown Farmers’ Market (ECDFM) sponsors a Market Match Program (MMP) incentivizing SNAP households to shop at the market. This presentation uses 2022 and 2023 survey data to highlight the benefits of the MMP, while also exploring the many barriers to using the MMP and corresponding changes that might reduce these barriers. Our results show most SNAP shoppers do not regularly shop at the market with the most reported barriers being limited market hours/locations, limited SNAP benefits running out and not remembering.