The Case for a National SNAP Fruit and Vegetable Incentive Program

Innovative Partnerships to Address Food Insecurity during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Brighter Bites Produce Voucher Program

“…Healthy food incentive programs, such as the USDA Healthy Incentives Program and the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP), have been shown to increase fruit and vegetable expenditure and intake [11][12][13], reduce food insecurity [14], and improve healthy eating behaviors [15]. Although effective, these programs are underutilized, with only a small fraction of SNAP participants having access to them [15]. Additionally, consumer demand often outpaces program budgets, and nonfederal financial matching requirements are a burden for state institutions, limiting the scope of incentives [15].…”

“…Although effective, these programs are underutilized, with only a small fraction of SNAP participants having access to them [15]. Additionally, consumer demand often outpaces program budgets, and nonfederal financial matching requirements are a burden for state institutions, limiting the scope of incentives [15]. Programs such as the Brighter Bites produce voucher program create innovative partnerships between a non-profit and large grocery retail stores, using both electronic and physical vouchers, administered to low-income families, and allow for the purchase of a variety of produce of their choice.…”

“…Other strategies, including local farming collectives, neighborhood gardens, increasing access through free delivery and drop-off points, and healthy incentive programs, are necessary to provide food to households at the greatest risk [10]. Healthy food incentive programs, in particular, have been shown to improve food security, increase fruit and vegetable expenditures and intake, and improve healthy eating behaviors [11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. Partnerships between non-profits and grocery retail stores have been shown to be effective at creating incentive programs [16][17][18][19].…”

Accelerating Evaluation of Financial Incentives for Fruits and Vegetables: A Case for Shared Measures

“…A recent AJPH commentary called for an expansion of NI programs to include all SNAP participants in the U.S., while highlighting insufficient federal funding [33]. Yet, an impediment to expansion is the lack of clarity around which models have the greatest public health impact and at what cost.…”

“…Shared measures would support elucidation of best practices, such as the most effective incentive dose or co-intervention (e.g., transportation support) for a variety of geographical settings and populations served. Standardized survey modules and other instruments help to eliminate "guesswork" and build capacity for practitioners that are less familiar with evaluation [30,33]. Shared and standardized evaluation measures allow for multiple stakeholders to understand how projects compare and can provide evidence for funders who are interested in capturing return on investment.…”