Grocery Assistance Program Study for Families

Overview

An experimental trial will be conducted whereby a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)-like food benefit program will be implemented in 240 SNAP eligible households. Baseline and follow up measures will include three 24-hour dietary recalls; household food purchase receipt collection; and household food security questions. The individual level measures will be collected from the adult most responsible for food shopping and a child in the household. After baseline measures are completed households will be randomized to one of three conditions: 1) restriction (not allowed to buy sugar sweetened beverages, sweet baked goods, or candies with food benefits); 2) restriction paired with an incentive (30% financial incentive on fruits and vegetables and restriction of purchase of sugar sweetened beverages, sweet baked goods, or candy with food benefits); or 3) control (no incentive or restrictions). Households in all conditions will be given a debit card that will have funds added monthly for a five month period. The dollar amount placed on the card monthly will be similar to the amount the household would receive if enrolled in SNAP. All participants will be instructed to use the debit card for food purchases only, and they'll be told they shouldn't use the card to purchase items currently non-eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits (e.g. alcohol, food from restaurants). Those in the restriction condition will also be told they cannot use the card to buy sugar sweetened beverages, sweet baked goods, or candies. They may purchase these foods using their own money, but not the debit card. Those in the restriction plus incentive condition will receive the instructions provided to the restriction group plus they will be told that they'll receive a 30% bonus for fruits and vegetables purchased using their debit card. Analyses will determine whether the nutritional quality of the diet at follow-up differs between experimental groups.