Work

Could EBT Machines Increase Fruit and Vegetable Purchases at New York City Green Carts?

Year: 2017

Type: article

Abstract: IntroductionResidents of some low-income neighborhoods have limited access to fresh fruits and vegetables.In 2008, New York City issued new mobile fruit and vegetable cart licenses for neighborhoods with inadequate availability of fresh produce.Some of these carts were equipped with electronic benefit transfer (EBT) machines, allowing them to accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.This article examines the association between type and quantities of fruits and vegetables purchased from mobile fruit and vegetable vendors and consumer characteristics, including payment method. MethodsCustomers at 4 produce carts in the Bronx, New York, were surveyed during 3 periods in 2013 and 2014.Survey data, including purchased fruit and vegetable quantities, were analyzed using multivariable negative binomial regressions, with payment method (cash only vs EBT or EBT and cash) as the primary independent variable.Covariates included availability of EBT, vendor, and customer sociodemographic characteristics. ResultsA total of 779 adults participated in this study.Shoppers who used SNAP benefits purchased an average of 5.4 more cup equivalents of fruits and vegetables than did shoppers who paid with cash.Ap-proximately 80% of this difference was due to higher quantities of purchased fruits. ConclusionExpanding access to EBT machines at mobile produce carts may increase purchases of fruits and vegetables from these vendors.The opinions expressed by authors contributing to this journal do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Public Health Service, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the authors' affiliated institutions.www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2017/17_0104.htm• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Source: Preventing Chronic Disease

DOI: 10.5888/pcd14.170104

Authors: Andrew Breck, Kamila Kiszko, Olivia Martinez, Courtney Abrams, Brian Elbel

Institution: New York University

Language: English

Topic: Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations

Subfield: General Health Professions

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Zero hunger, No poverty, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

Funders: National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences