SNAP-Based Incentive Programs at Farmers' Markets: Adaptation Considerations for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Recipients

Abstract

Objective: To describe the design, implementation, and consumer response to a coupon-style intervention aimed to increase Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) use at a farmers' market (FM) among Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) participants.

Design: A quasi-experimental trial to evaluate redemption response to 2 coupon interventions; baseline surveys characterized coupon redeemers and non-redeemers.

Setting: Urban.

Participants: The TANF recipients were assigned to either a plain (n = 124) or targeted marketing coupon intervention (n = 130).

Intervention(s): Both groups received 10 $2 coupons to double fruit and vegetable SNAP purchases at the FM. The targeted marketing group also received an oral presentation designed to reduce perceived barriers to FM use.

Main outcome measure: Coupon redemption.

Analysis: The researchers used t tests and chi-square/Fisher exact tests to examine associations between redeemers and non-redeemers; logistic regression was used to adjust for the intervention.

Results: No male and few female participants redeemed coupons (6.3%). Among women, those with knowledge of vegetable preparation were 3 times more likely to redeem coupons than were those with little or no knowledge (odds ratio = 3.77; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-13.77).

Conclusions and implications: Stand-alone coupon incentive programs may not be a high-reach strategy for encouraging FM use among the population using TANF. Complementary strategies to build vegetable preparation knowledge and skills are needed.

Keywords: SNAP-based incentive programs; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; Temporary Assistance for Needy Families; coupons; farmers' markets.