Browsing by Author "Schexnayder, Kelci"

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    Federal Nutrition Assistance at Farmers’ Markets: Evaluating Self-Efficacy and the Home Nutrition Environment
    (2013) Aguiar, Carolina; Caplan, Valerie; Chang, Emily; Chang, Sophia; Kuo, Jennifer; Lahey, Moses; Pandya, Rutvij; Richard, Kate; Schexnayder, Kelci; Thornton, Monique; White, Rachel; Grutzmacher, Stephanie
    SNAP and WIC help alleviate food insecurity among low-income families; however, some still struggle with fruit and vegetable accessibility. Farmers' markets present the opportunity to purchase fresher foods than other food retailers; therefore, we chose this environment to conduct our research. A survey of 70 WIC/SNAP shoppers at three D.C. metropolitan area farmers' markets assessed the correlation between parental self-efficacy and the home nutrition environment (composed of family health behavior, perceived barriers, and fruit and vegetable offerings in the home) and found a significant relationship. Interviews were used to evaluate market accessibility, SNAP/WIC benefit redemption, and the feasibility of accepting these benefits. Both market participants and coordinators mentioned the greater variety and superior quality of farmers' market produce but also suggested several improvements. Findings suggest that SNAP incentive programs may increase fruit and vegetable purchases. Programs targeting consumer self efficacy may also produce positive outcomes.
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    SNAP Redemption at Farmers’ Markets: Assessing the Home Nutrition Environment and Healthy Food Accessibility for Maryland SNAP Families
    (2011) Aguiar, Carolina; Caplan, Valerie; Chang, Emily; Chang, Sophia; Kuo, Jennifer; Lahey, Moses; Pandya, Rutvij; Richard, Katherine; Schexnayder, Kelci; Thornton, Monique; White, Rachel; Grutzmacher, Stephanie
    Currently, 35.5 million Americans live in a state of food insecurity. To address this insecurity in impoverished households, the federal government has created programs to provide low-income citizens with monetary assistance to purchase food for their families, and achieve a more healthful diet. One such example is SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). To better understand the effects of SNAP availability in farmers’ markets, Team Food Deserts will conduct a mixed-methods research project in stages: first, a market analysis after the implementation of a SNAP redemption program in four area farmers’ markets; second, a cross-sectional survey of SNAP shoppers at the market investigating the relationship between self-efficacy and the home-nutrition environment; and third, evaluating a nutrition education program. At the conclusion of our study, we intend to establish a relationship between a parent’s self-efficacy to provide for their family and their home-nutrition environment, as well to show the economic feasibility of bringing SNAP to farmers’ markets on a wider scale.