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. 2021 Nov;53(11):931-937.
doi: 10.1016/j.jneb.2021.07.004. Epub 2021 Sep 17.

Nationwide Assessment of SNAP Online Purchasing Pilot State Communication Efforts During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Caroline G Dunn  1 , Calli Bianchi  2 , Sheila Fleischhacker  3 , Sara N Bleich  4
Affiliations

Nationwide Assessment of SNAP Online Purchasing Pilot State Communication Efforts During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Caroline G Dunn et al. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2021 Nov.

Abstract

Objective: To conduct a nationwide assessment of communication by participating states and Washington DC about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Online Purchasing Pilot expansion.

Design: Systematic coding of official communication from state and DC SNAP administrating agencies.

Participants: Forty-six states and DC approved to participate in the pilot as of October 2020 (n = 47). Data were collected from official SNAP administrating agency websites, state press releases, and state emergency coronavirus disease 2019 websites.

Variables measured: Four domains were collected from communication materials: (1) program information, (2) retailer information, (3) health and nutrition information, and (4) communication accessibility.

Analysis: Qualitative content analysis, descriptive statistics.

Results: Thirty-four (72%) states issued an official press release about the pilot that was easily accessible through online searches (15 available in multiple languages), 21 (45%) included information on their SNAP agency website, and 15 (32%) included information on their official coronavirus disease 2019 website. Most states identified authorized retailers (n = 37; 79%), provided information about pickup/delivery (n = 31; 66%), and stated the SNAP online start date (n = 29; 62%). About a quarter of states (n = 12; 26%) provided information about nutrition and health.

Conclusions and implications: State communication about the SNAP online pilot mostly focused on basic program and retailer information and included limited information about nutrition and health.

Keywords: COVID-19; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; grocery; nutrition education; online shopping.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Official state sources providing information about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Online Purchasing Pilot.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The comprehensiveness of reporting for 8 coding criteria, by state (n = 47 states including Washington DC).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. US Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service. Facts about SNAP.https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/facts. Accessed September 24, 2020.
    1. US Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service. SNAP data tables.https://www.fns.usda.gov/pd/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap. Accessed September 24, 2020.
    1. US Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service. Where can I use SNAP EBT?https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/retailer-locator. Accessed September 3, 2019.
    1. Hilmers A, Hilmers DC, Dave J. Neighborhood disparities in access to healthy foods and their effects on environmental justice. Am J Public Health. 2012;102:1644–1654. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Cho C, Volpe R. US Department of Agriculture; 2017. Independent Grocery Stores in the Changing Landscape of the US Food Retail Industry.

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