Double Up Food Bucks program effects on SNAP recipients' fruit and vegetable purchases

Area of Science:

• Nutrition Science
• Behavioral Economics
• Public Health Policy

Background:

• The 2014 US Farm Bill funded the Double Up Food Bucks Program to boost fruit and vegetable consumption.
• This initiative offered a $10 gift card for Michigan-grown produce to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) beneficiaries after a $10 purchase of fruits and vegetables.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the impact of the Double Up Food Bucks Program on fruit and vegetable expenditures, variety, and purchasing decisions.
• To assess the program's effects during its operation and any lingering influence.

Main Methods:

• A difference-in-difference fixed-effects estimation strategy was employed.
• Purchasing behaviors were evaluated in a Detroit supermarket serving a low-income, predominantly Hispanic community.

Main Results:

• The program led to modest increases in vegetable expenditures and the variety of fruits and vegetables purchased.
• Fruit expenditures and overall purchase decisions remained unaffected.
• Positive effects on vegetable purchases and variety were not sustained after the financial incentive was removed.

Conclusions:

• Nutrition incentive programs can influence fruit and vegetable purchasing in low-income, urban Hispanic communities.
• Recommendations include lowering or removing the purchase hurdle for incentive eligibility.
• Removing the "Michigan grown" restriction may better align with consumer preferences and enhance program effectiveness.