The Veggie Vouchers pilot intervention aimed to increase awareness and utilization of an existing SNAP F\&V incentive program in South Carolina for families with food insecurity. Social determinants of health screenings were leveraged in a pediatric clinic to identify eligible families and provide information about this program. A free trial was then offered, with the long-term goal of increasing program use after the free trial ended. The primary aim was feasibility and acceptability of the Veggie Vouchers intervention among pediatricians and families.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
91
This intervention aims to increase awareness and use of a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) fruit and vegetable incentive program in South Carolina among families with young children experiencing food insecurity. To do so, brief education about this SNAP program is delivered by pediatricians to caregivers during well-child visits. Subsequently, caregivers are given 3 free produce boxes as a free trial of this program to incentivize first time use.
University of South Carolina
Columbia, South Carolina, United States
Intervention feasibility: recruitment screening eligibility
Percent of caregivers screened who were eligible
Time frame: Through study completion, approximately 1 year
Intervention feasibility: recruitment screening enrollment
Percent of eligible caregivers who enrolled
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 year
Intervention feasibility: recruitment duration
Duration to reach the target sample
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 year
Intervention feasibility: retention attendance
Assessment completion rates
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 year
Intervention feasibility: retention dropout
Percent of sample that drops out or is lost to follow-up
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 year
Intervention acceptability: caregivers
Acceptability was assessed via surveys on caregivers satisfaction of the intervention
Time frame: Upon completing the intervention, approximately 5 months after baseline
Intervention acceptability: pediatricians
Acceptability was assessed via surveys on pediatricians perceptions of the intervention
Time frame: Upon completing the intervention, approximately 1 year
Intervention acceptability
Exit surveys were used to assess reasons for low utilization of the intervention
Time frame: Upon completing the intervention, approximately 3 months after baseline
Intervention utilization: free trial redemption
How many free trial vouchers were ordered and received
Time frame: Through free trial period, approximately 3 months from baseline
Intervention utilization: SNAP purchases (box frequency)
Number of additional fruit and vegetable boxes purchased using SNAP electronics benefit card
Time frame: Through study completion, approximately 1 year
Intervention utilization: SNAP purchases (family uptake)
How many families purchased additional fruit and vegetable boxes using their SNAP electronics benefit card
Time frame: Through study completion, approximately 1 year
Household food insecurity
The 18-item United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Household Food Security Module was used to assess household food security status. Scores range 0 to 18. Higher scores indicate greater degrees of food insecurity.
Time frame: Baseline, after receiving each free fruit and vegetable box (~1x/month for 3 months after baseline), and end of the intervention (~5 months after baseline for redeemers; 3 months after baseline for non-redeemers)
Household nutrition security
The Household Nutrition Security scale was used to assess a household's ability to acquire foods that meet their nutritional needs without resource limitations or worry. Scores range 0 to 4. Higher scores indicate a greater degree of household nutrition security.
Time frame: Baseline, after receiving each free fruit and vegetable box (~1x/month for 3 months after baseline), and end of the intervention (~5 months after baseline for redeemers; 3 months after baseline for non-redeemers)
Household healthfulness choice
The Household Nutrition Security scale was used to assess a household's ability to acquire foods that meet their health needs without resource limitations or worry. Scores range 0 to 4. Higher scores indicate a greater degree of household healthfulness choice.
Time frame: Baseline, after receiving each free fruit and vegetable box (~1x/month for 3 months after baseline), and end of the intervention (~5 months after baseline for redeemers; 3 months after baseline for non-redeemers)
Household dietary choice
The Household Dietary Choice scale was used to assess a household's ability to acquire foods that meet their dietary preferences without resource limitations or worry. Scores range 0 to 4. Higher scores indicate a greater degree of household dietary choice
Time frame: Baseline, after receiving each free fruit and vegetable box (~1x/month for 3 months after baseline), and end of the intervention (~5 months after baseline for redeemers; 3 months after baseline for non-redeemers)
Dietary intake
The National Cancer Institute's Dietary Screener Questionnaire (DSQ) was used to assess caregiver's report of children's dietary intake. Responses are quantified as cup equivalents per day, grams per day, milligrams per day, ounce equivalents per day, or teaspoon equivalents per day. Whether higher or lower numbers indicate more healthful or less healthful dietary intake is specific to each nutrient.
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Time frame: Baseline, after receiving each free fruit and vegetable box (~1x/month for 3 months after baseline), and end of the intervention (~5 months after baseline for redeemers; 3 months after baseline for non-redeemers)