The U.S. Department of Agriculture's
Healthy Incentives Pilot, a program to test the impact of promoting fruit and
vegetable purchases among some SNAP recipients in Hampden, Mass., found that spending
less than 15 cents a person each day can result in a 25 percent increase in
eating these healthier foods among adults.
Adults receiving the HIP incentive consumed, on average, an ounce more fruits and vegetables per day than those not
participating.
The HIP pilot project was authorized
by Congress under the 2008 Farm Bill.
Many low income people face time and
resource challenges when it comes to putting healthy food on the table that can
make less healthy options seem more appealing, said Agriculture
Secretary Tom Vilsack.
Vilsack said public-private efforts by
others also are showing success: (1) a pilot project in Minnesota that offers
$5 coupons to SNAP households for the purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables,
and (2) a pilot project in Michigan to make locally sourced produce available
in corner grocery stores in metropolitan Detroit.
He said other initiatives underway
by USDA to promote healthy eating by all American consumers, include:
- USDA recently published an interim final rule that
supports agency efforts, working with state partners, to carry out
nutrition education and obesity prevention in SNAP.
- America's students now have healthier and more
nutritious school meals due to improved nutrition standards as a result of
the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act
of 2010. USDA recently announced Smart Snacks in Schools,
which sets healthy guidelines for all foods and beverages sold in school.
- USDA recently announced expanded eligibility for
$4 million in grants to improve access to fresh produce and healthy foods
for SNAP shoppers at America's farmers’ markets.
- USDA provides shopping strategies and meal planning
advice to help families serve more nutritious meals affordably through its
10-Tips Nutrition Series
and the Thrifty Food Plan.
- Through USDA's Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food, the department has
worked to increase access to nutritious food through the development of
strong local and regional food systems. The number of farmers’ markets
increased by more than 67 percent in the last four years.
- USDA's MyPlate symbol and the resources at ChooseMyPlate.gov provide
information on healthy eating on a budget for parents, teachers,
healthcare professionals, and communities. USDA's SuperTracker, an online
planning and tracking tool, helps more than two million Americans improve
food choices, maintain a healthy weight, and track physical activity every
day.
SNAP stands for Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program, a new name for the agency’s food stamp program,
which was changed in 2008 to fight stigma.
