Food Resource Management Education With SNAP Participation Improves Food Security.
Lucia Kaiser, Virginia Chaidez, Susan Algert, Marcel Horowitz, Anna Martin, Concepcion Mendoza, Marisa Neelon, David C Ginsburg
Author Information
Lucia Kaiser: Nutrition Department, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA; University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, Cooperative Extension, University of California, Davis, CA.
Virginia Chaidez: Nutrition and Health Sciences Department, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE. Electronic address: vchaidez2@unl.edu.
Susan Algert: Nutrition and Health Sciences Department, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE; University of California CalFresh (SNAP-Ed) Nutrition Education Program, Davis, CA.
Marcel Horowitz: University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, Cooperative Extension, University of California, Davis, CA; University of California CalFresh (SNAP-Ed) Nutrition Education Program, Davis, CA.
Anna Martin: University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, Cooperative Extension, University of California, Davis, CA; University of California CalFresh (SNAP-Ed) Nutrition Education Program, Davis, CA.
Concepcion Mendoza: University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, Cooperative Extension, University of California, Davis, CA; University of California CalFresh (SNAP-Ed) Nutrition Education Program, Davis, CA.
Marisa Neelon: University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, Cooperative Extension, University of California, Davis, CA; University of California CalFresh (SNAP-Ed) Nutrition Education Program, Davis, CA.
David C Ginsburg: University of California CalFresh (SNAP-Ed) Nutrition Education Program, Davis, CA.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and participant demographics on nutrition education outcomes. METHODS: At program enrollment (pre) and 1 month later (post), a statewide convenience sample of adults, who participated in the Plan, Shop, Save, and Cook program, completed a 7-item questionnaire to evaluate change in resource management skills (RMS) and running out of food before the end of the month. RESULTS: Percent of participants (n = 3,744) who reported behavioral improvements in RMS ranged from 38.8% in comparing prices to 54% in reading labels. Female gender and Hispanic ethnicity were positively related to pre-post RMS change (P = .001). Participants who received SNAP food assistance and made greater pre-post improvement in RMS reported the greatest decrease in running out of food (P = .001). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Both food assistance and education on nutrition and resource management are needed to reduce food insecurity in SNAP-eligible audiences.
