#WYMarketsMatter: Testing Two Farmers Market Voucher Strategies to Increase Food Security

Overview

University of Wyoming (UW) and Wyoming Food for Thought Project (WFFTP) propose to collaboratively develop, pilot, and evaluate a trial on the impact of market vouchers on food security and fruit and vegetable (F\&V) consumption. We will (a) provide farmers market vouchers to families who are enrolled in WIC, SNAP, or free or reduced lunch and/or have incomes ≤185% of poverty line; (b) assess impacts of these supports on household food security and F\&V consumption; and (c) test feasibility and impacts of vouchers valid only for F\&V vs. for any foods that can be purchased with SNAP. To test the feasibility and preliminary impacts of this approach, we will enroll 30 individuals/households in this study, randomizing 10 to each of the 2 intervention arms and 10 to waitlist control. Qualifying individuals and families will be able to enroll in the study at the WFFTP Tuesday afternoon/evening market on July 30th, 2019. They will be randomized upon enrollment to one of three conditions: receiving $20 in vouchers at each of up to 4 markets ($80 total) that are good for F\&V only, receiving $20 vouchers at each of up to 4 markets that are good for any foods that SNAP/EBT benefits can be used for; or delayed intervention/waitlist control (who, at the final data gathering, will receive 5 x $20 in vouchers good at the WFFTP 2019 and 2020 markets).

Conditions