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Double Up Food BucksDUFB: The Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB) program is a healthy incentive program administered by the Field and Fork Network in Western New York (WNY). Participants on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are eligible to participate in DUFB which matches their SNAP spending, up to a limit, with additional benefits that can be spent on local produce items. DUFB participants can receive a match of up to $20 per visit on SNAP dollars spent at participating Farmers' Markets or a match of up to $10 per day at one participating mobile market. Our lab has partnered with Field and Fork Network in the past to conduct a qualitative program evaluation, through focus groups and interviews, to understand participants' experiences with the program and how it can be improved.
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Double Up Food Bucks: A Qualitative Evaluation of Usage, Impact, Barriers, and Facilitators
Masci, J.1, Kasprzak, C.1, Schooner, J.2, Vermont, L., French, L.T., Leone. L.A. “Double Up Food Bucks: A Qualitative Evaluation of Usage, Impact, Barriers, and Facilitators.” Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. Published Online 27 August 2020.
Abstract
Objective
Evaluate implementation of a farmers market–based fruit and vegetable incentive program.
Design
Four focus groups and 6 interviews with program participants from April through November 2017.
Setting
Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB) program in Western New York.
Participants
Western New York DUFB program participants.
Phenomenon of Interest
Customer DUFB usage, how DUFB affects purchasing, and program barriers or facilitators.
Analysis
Two independent researchers coded focus group and interview transcripts. Researchers summarized codes as themes and selected illustrative quotes.
Results
Participants (n = 36) were mostly female (75%); 69.4% reported a household income less than $20,000. They reported taking home and consuming more fruits and vegetables because of DUFB, almost always earning the maximum amount of DUFB and saving DUFB for later use. Barriers to using DUFB included limited hours and locations, running out of tokens, poor access to farmers market, and limited stocking. Participants recommended improved program communication, more venues, and convenient schedules to facilitate program use.
Conclusions and Implications
Findings indicated that incentive programs increased fruit and vegetable consumption and purchasing among those who use them, however barriers to using incentives still existed. To improve the participant experience, program administrators should implement technology-based systems, provide robust communication, and offer incentives at varied locations and times.
Evaluate implementation of a farmers market–based fruit and vegetable incentive program.
Design
Four focus groups and 6 interviews with program participants from April through November 2017.
Setting
Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB) program in Western New York.
Participants
Western New York DUFB program participants.
Phenomenon of Interest
Customer DUFB usage, how DUFB affects purchasing, and program barriers or facilitators.
Analysis
Two independent researchers coded focus group and interview transcripts. Researchers summarized codes as themes and selected illustrative quotes.
Results
Participants (n = 36) were mostly female (75%); 69.4% reported a household income less than $20,000. They reported taking home and consuming more fruits and vegetables because of DUFB, almost always earning the maximum amount of DUFB and saving DUFB for later use. Barriers to using DUFB included limited hours and locations, running out of tokens, poor access to farmers market, and limited stocking. Participants recommended improved program communication, more venues, and convenient schedules to facilitate program use.
Conclusions and Implications
Findings indicated that incentive programs increased fruit and vegetable consumption and purchasing among those who use them, however barriers to using incentives still existed. To improve the participant experience, program administrators should implement technology-based systems, provide robust communication, and offer incentives at varied locations and times.
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Improving Mobile Market Programs to Better Reach Older Adults
Our lab received funding from the AARP Foundation, as part of their initiative to improve food security among older adults, to implement and evaluate a mobile market incentive program serving lower-income seniors. The Senior Mobile Market Loyalty Program (SMMLP) is modeled after the USDA’s Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP), but eliminates many barriers for both mobile market operators and seniors associated with the current program. Any eligible senior (age 50+, 150% or less of the federal poverty level) who visits a participating mobile market will be asked to enroll in the loyalty program, through which a $5 discount is instantly applied to their purchase any time they visit the mobile market. The Veggie Van Study is implementing the SMMLP through 10 mobile markets serving a high percentage of seniors (>50% of customers are 50+), and will conduct implementation research via periodic short surveys on food security amongst those senior customers enrolled in the loyalty program. We anticipate the SMMLP program, when combined with an evidence-based mobile market program optimized for reaching seniors, will help improve food security and diet among lower-income seniors.
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