Chelsea R Singleton1, Sydney Fouché2, Rucha Deshpande3, Angela Odoms-Young1, Corey Chatman4, Connie Spreen4. 1. 1Institute for Health Research and Policy,University of Illinois at Chicago,1747 West Roosevelt Road,Office 488,Chicago,IL 60608,USA. 2. 2Division of Community Health Sciences,School of Public Health,University of Illinois at Chicago,Chicago,IL,USA. 3. 3Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition,College of Applied Health Sciences,University of Illinois at Chicago,Chicago,IL,USA. 4. 4Experimental Station,Chicago,IL,USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Previous research indicates that low-income individuals often struggle to consume the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables (F&V). LINK Up Illinois is a farmers' market incentive programme that aims to increase F&V consumption among Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients by improving access to and affordability of locally grown foods. The present research aimed to identify barriers to F&V consumption that exist among users of the LINK Up Illinois programme. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Farmers' markets in Chicago, Springfield, Northbrook, Woodstock, Aurora and Urbana, IL. SUBJECTS: In 2016, a volunteer sample of 140 LINK Up Illinois users (mean age 42·5 years; 81·7 % female; 28·7 % African American; 44·0 % obese) completed a survey at participating farmers' markets across the state. Information on demographics, food shopping behaviours, programme satisfaction, barriers to F&V consumption and frequency of F&V consumption was collected and examined. RESULTS: Approximately 23 % of survey participants reported consuming F&V ≥3 times/d. The barriers to F&V consumption most often reported by survey participants were the cost of F&V (29·5 %), spoilage (18·6 %), knowing how to cook F&V (8·7 %) and not thinking about F&V when hungry (8·6 %). Results from multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models suggested that reporting one or more barriers was associated with reduced odds of consuming vegetables ≥3 times/d, but not fruits. CONCLUSIONS: Cost, spoilage and knowledge of cooking are key barriers to F&V consumption that exist among LINK Up Illinois users. Strategies are needed to mitigate these barriers and increase F&V consumption in this population.
OBJECTIVE: Previous research indicates that low-income individuals often struggle to consume the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables (F&V). LINK Up Illinois is a farmers' market incentive programme that aims to increase F&V consumption among Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients by improving access to and affordability of locally grown foods. The present research aimed to identify barriers to F&V consumption that exist among users of the LINK Up Illinois programme. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Farmers' markets in Chicago, Springfield, Northbrook, Woodstock, Aurora and Urbana, IL. SUBJECTS: In 2016, a volunteer sample of 140 LINK Up Illinois users (mean age 42·5 years; 81·7 % female; 28·7 % African American; 44·0 % obese) completed a survey at participating farmers' markets across the state. Information on demographics, food shopping behaviours, programme satisfaction, barriers to F&V consumption and frequency of F&V consumption was collected and examined. RESULTS: Approximately 23 % of survey participants reported consuming F&V ≥3 times/d. The barriers to F&V consumption most often reported by survey participants were the cost of F&V (29·5 %), spoilage (18·6 %), knowing how to cook F&V (8·7 %) and not thinking about F&V when hungry (8·6 %). Results from multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models suggested that reporting one or more barriers was associated with reduced odds of consuming vegetables ≥3 times/d, but not fruits. CONCLUSIONS: Cost, spoilage and knowledge of cooking are key barriers to F&V consumption that exist among LINK Up Illinois users. Strategies are needed to mitigate these barriers and increase F&V consumption in this population.
Entities:
Keywords:
Barriers; Farmers’ markets; Fruits and vegetables; Incentives; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Authors: Chelsea R Singleton; Fikriyah Winata; Alexandra M Roehll; Isa Adamu; Gabriella M McLoughlin Journal: Prev Chronic Dis Date: 2022-02-10 Impact factor: 2.830