Nutrition incentives in action: Exploring nutrition security and community connection in a longitudinal study

In Montana, Supplemental Nutrition Assistant Pro­gram (SNAP) participants qualify for the Double SNAP Dollar (DSD) Program funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (USDA GusNIP). The program aims to improve SNAP participants’ diets by providing point-of-sale coupons to increase access to and consumption of fruits and vegetables (F&V). Our study objective was to examine the impact of the DSD program on par­tic­ipants’ characteristics and social factors. This study used a 3-year longitudinal design and convenience sampling at Montana farmers markets where the DSD program is available. A survey instrument measured F&V consumption, food security, health status, community connection, and use of the DSD program. The GusNIP theory of change was used to analyze how the DSD program influences par­ticipant experience and community connection. While accessing the program, 60–65% of respond­ents reported that the amount of F&V they con­sumed greatly increased due to the DSD program. During the study period, 80% of respondents reported feeling connected to their community, and 75–88% felt that their purchases were making a difference in their community. Longer participa­tion in the DSD program was also associated with higher food security. The study findings suggest that DSD is increasing SNAP participants’ pur­chasing power for F&V, and this, combined with farmers markets’ ability to foster community con­nection, helped spur participants’ F&V intake. This study adds to the growing evidence that nutrition incentive programs empower SNAP participants to enhance their diet quality and nutrition security while improving health equity and facilitating healthy choices.