Progress 09/01/22 to 08/31/23
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience for the Big Apple Incentives project in year 3 included: New Yorkers with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. More than 1.78 million NYC residents across the city's five boroughs participated in SNAP in 2023[1] and had access to nutrition incentives through the three Big Apple Incentives programs: Health Bucks, Half Off Farm Box and Get the Good Stuff. During the year 3 GusNIP implementation period, thousands of New Yorkers extended their purchasing power for fresh fruits and vegetables through the Health Bucks SNAP incentive at NYC farmers markets (spend $2 in SNAP, get $2 in Health Bucks up to $10 per day). New Yorkers with SNAP also accessed discounts on pre-assembled boxes of fresh, locally grown produce at food box locations through the Half Off Farm Box program. More than 12,000 New Yorkers have enrolled in Get the Good Stuff since its launch in 2019, of which nearly 50% are Hispanic/Latino/Latina and 13% are Black. Of those enrolled, approximately 8,334 participants utilized incentives to purchase fruits and vegetables at participating supermarkets in GusNIP project year 3. Operators of NYC farmers markets and food box locations and regional farmers. Over 120 NYC farmers markets and farm stands distributed Health Bucks as a SNAP incentive and 23 food box locations provided the Half Off Farm Box discount to customers paying with SNAP. Big Apple Incentives promotes the regional economy by increasing demand for locally grown fruits and vegetables among New Yorkers with SNAP benefits. Regional farmers are served through increased SNAP and Health Bucks spending on produce sold at farmers markets. Regional farmers have also benefited from the extension of fruit and vegetable incentives to food boxes through the Half Off Farm Box program. Owners of eleven independent supermarkets located in NYC communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, racism and disinvestment, including owners of five supermarkets that launched the program in year 3. Eleven supermarkets (five in the Bronx and two each in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens) currently operate Get the Good Stuff under Big Apple Incentives funding and are increasing eligible customers' spending power on hundreds of eligible fresh, frozen, canned and dried fruits, vegetables and beans. All supermarkets are located in neighborhoods where 33% or more of residents live at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Line (FPL). Ten of the supermarkets are located in neighborhoods that have been identified as priority by NYC's Taskforce on Racial Inclusion and Equity because they are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, racism and disinvestment. Residents of neighborhoods with selected stores are predominantly Hispanic and Black. [1] NYC Open Data. Borough/Community District Report - SNAP Population. Updated 7/18/2023. https://data.cityofnewyork.us/Social-Services/Borough-Community-District-Report-SNAP-Population/jye8-w4d7 Changes/Problems:Due to increased demand for Health Bucks through the SNAP incentive program, the annual redemption cost of Health Bucks is nearly triple the amount budgeted in federal and matching funds in our GusNIP award. The NYC Health Department allocated $1.2M in additional City funding to support Health Bucks costs between July 2023-June 2024. We have been unable to secure the SNAP transaction dataset that allows us to determine the number of individuals with SNAP who participate in Health Bucks and the Half Off Farm Box program. In the past, we have used annual individual-level SNAP transaction data provided by GrowNYC, a partner on our Big Apple Incentives project, to determine the number of program participants and changes in participation from year to year. The state SNAP agency previously provided GrowNYC with this data on an annual basis. However, the state's SNAP agency recently changed their data sharing policy and is unwilling to provide retailers, including GrowNYC, with their SNAP transaction data. We have reached out to leadership at the state SNAP agency and will try to secure the data directly from the agency. Our largest Half Off Farm Box partner, GrowNYC, changed their business strategy and closed some of their farm box sites in GusNIP project period 3. As of October 2023, GrowNYC transitioned all remaining food box sites to farmstands that distribute Health Bucks as a SNAP incentive. GrowNYC no longer operates any food box sites and does not participate in the Half Off Farm Box program. We anticipate that fewer incentives will be distributed through the Half Off Farm Box Program in GusNIP project period 4. Expansion of the Get the Good Stuff program was delayed due to capacity constraints following the departure of the Get the Good Stuff Program Manager (primarily supported by our GusCRR grant) in mid-2022. In February 2023, a new program manager joined the program. In that time, the program manager has overseen execution of contracts with new supermarkets and their POS vendors, the development of electronic nutrition incentive systems and program launch at all new supermarkets. The program manager will also oversee the launch of Get the Good Stuff at the additional three GusNIP-funded supermarkets before the end of 2023. Lastly, a supermarket that participates in Get the Good Stuff recently notified us about an error they discovered on the biweekly nutrition incentive redemption reports they submit as part of invoicing for redeemed incentives. The store's POS vendor made a mistake when programming the redemption report and the error resulted in overpayments to the store. The POS vendor immediately corrected the reporting issue upon discovery and determined the correct incentive redemption amount going back to the beginning of our GusNIP grant. We are working with the store to develop a plan to recoup the money that was overpaid. We also submitted revised incentive redemption reports to the GusNIP Nutrition Incentive Program Training, Technical Assistance, Evaluation and Information Center. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We disseminated information about SNAP incentive programming to communities of interest through presentations and meetings with a wide range of stakeholders including: Farmers Market Alliance meetings in January and May 2023; Bronx Health Reach's meeting of faith-based organizations in May 2023; Health Bucks market operator meeting in July 2023; and the Brooklyn Bureau of Neighborhood Health's "Partners in Health Chat" in August 2023. In May 2023, we shared information on SNAP incentive programming to over 200 attendees at a NYC Health Department Bureau of Health Equity and Capacity Building's Partners Forum, a network of organizations that support addressing health inequities in disinvested neighborhoods. We also disseminated promotional materials about the Health Bucks SNAP incentive to over 450 community organizations across NYC and provided information and promotional materials to community groups near supermarkets participating in Get the Good Stuff, such as the Tenant Association for Castle Hill Houses in the Bronx. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We plan to complete the following in the next reporting period to accomplish our goals: Continue to distribute $2 in Health Bucks for every $2 spent in SNAP up to $10 in Health Bucks per day at 120+ farmers markets across NYC. Track coupon distribution and redemption and calculate redemption rates. Obtain and analyze 2022-2023 farmers market and food box SNAP transaction data to assess incentive program participation and changes in median value of Health Bucks distributed per participant compared to prior years when $2 in Health Bucks was distributed for every $5 spent in SNAP. Execute contracts with additional food boxes to implement Half Off Farm Box and provide a 50% discount on SNAP purchases of preassembled, prepaid bags of local produce. Launch Get the Good Stuff at 3 additional stores by November 2023 and distribute a $1 for $1 match up to $10/day on SNAP purchases of eligible fruits, vegetables and beans. Support program implementation through: training supermarket staff to enroll participants and operate incentive system; providing supermarkets with promotional materials including posters, floor decals, palm cards and shelf-talkers; assist stores with onsite recruitment and enrollment of participants and providing ongoing technical assistance and support troubleshooting issues. Hire and train two Bilingual Outreach Associates to enroll participants in Get the Good Stuff at participating supermarkets and to promote the program. Promote Get the Good Stuff at new supermarkets by displaying program promotional materials including posters, floor decals, palm cards and shelf talkers. Develop and print new materials as requested by supermarket partners.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Impact statement Approximately 1.78 million of New York City's (NYC) 8.5 million residents relied on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)for food in March 2023 .[1] In 2021, 34.7% of New Yorkers were food insecure and 11.6% ate no fruits and vegetables on the previous day. Income is associated with fruit and vegetable consumption and in 2021 New New Yorkers who lived in high-poverty households, including New Yorkers with SNAP benefits, were most likely not to consume any fruits and vegetables in a day (13.3%) than those in low-poverty households (10.4%). Access to nutritious food is essential to health and wellbeing[2], yet many New Yorkers cannot afford the fruits and vegetables needed for a healthy diet. With support from a USDA Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) grant, NYC's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's Big Apple Incentive Program issued over $2.7M in point of purchase incentives for fruits and vegetables incentives to thousands of New Yorkers with SNAP benefits shopping at over 120 farmers markets, 11 supermarkets and at 23 food box locations between September 2022-August 2023. The nutrition incentives provided New Yorkers using SNAP benefits with additional resources to purchase healthy food. Accomplishments Goal 1 Activities completed (obj. 1 & 2) Hired a full-time program manager to oversee all aspects of the Health Bucks program including overseeing distribution and tracking of Health Bucks and managing program budget, contracts and reporting. Maintained the SNAP incentive ratio ($2 in Health Bucks for every $2 spent in SNAP, up to $10 in Health Bucks per day) introduced in 2021. Distributed more than 850,000 Health Bucks worth over $1.7M in fruits and vegetables at 122 farmers markets between September 2022-August 2023. Nearly half (49%) of all markets distributing Health Bucks are located in neighborhoods where 20% or more of residents live at or below 100% of the Federal Poverty Line (FPL). Matched purchases made with Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) benefits, contributing to the largest number of Health Bucks distributed in one year since the program began in 2007. Met with farmers market operators to provide training on the SNAP incentive program. Discussed best practices for coupon distribution, tracking, redemption and program promotion. Designed and printed farmers market maps in English, Simplified Chinese and Spanish and translated materials promoting the SNAP incentive level into 8 languages. Disseminated materials at farmers markets and to over 450 community organizations representing over 650 programs for distribution to their clients. Data collected (obj. 1 & 2): Monthly market-level SNAP sales totals and Health Bucks distribution data. Unable to collect individual-level SNAP and Health Bucks distribution data - see changes/problems section for more information. Summary statistics (obj. 1 & 2): Distributed over $1.7M worth of Health Bucks as a SNAP incentive in calendar year 2022 of which approximately 90% were redeemed for fruits and vegetables. Number of individuals participating in Health Bucks SNAP incentive and average value of Health Bucks received to be determined when dataset is available. Key outcomes (obj. 1 & 2): Increased fruit and vegetable purchases by New Yorkers using SNAP and Health Bucks at farmers markets from September 2022-August 2023. Goal 2 Activities completed (obj. 1-3) Recruited 2 food box operators representing 3 new food box sites to participate in the Half Off Farm Box program. Executed contracts with new and returning sites. Trained new and returning food box operators on providing, tracking and invoicing for the 50% discount on food boxes purchased with SNAP. Shared flyers and posters in English, Spanish and Simplified Chinese to participating food box operators to promote the discount. Implemented Half Off Farm Box at 23 locations that distributed over 9,000 boxes of locally grown fruit and vegetables and applied nearly $60,000 worth of incentives for boxes purchased between September 2022-August 2023. This amounts to over $115,000 in discounts since the program launched in July 2021. Approximately 41% of all food box sites distributing discounted farm boxes are in neighborhoods with high rates of poverty (20% or more of residents live at or below 100% of the FPL). Data collected Obj. 1: Food box locations implementing program Obj. 2: Unable to collect individual-level SNAP data - see changes/problems section for more information. Obj. 3: SNAP transaction data and number of food boxes sold to customers paying with SNAP at participating sites Summary statistics Obj. 1: Increased the number of food box sites that provide a 50% discount on SNAP purchases from 0 to 23 since program launch in July 2021 and August 2023. Obj. 2: Data not available Obj. 3: From September 2022-August 2023, approximately 30% of food boxes purchased at GrowNYC and Children's Aid Society sites (collectively representing over 90% of all food boxes sold using the incentive) were paid for with SNAP. Key outcomes Obj 1: Established new avenue for produce incentive distribution Obj 2: Data not available Obj 3: Increased number of food boxes purchased using SNAP from September 2022-August 2023. Goal 3 Activities completed (obj. 1-3) Hired a full-time program manager to support all aspects of the Get the Good Stuff program including onboarding and launching the program at new supermarkets and developing program promotional materials. Hired a full-time Big Apple Incentives Coordinator to support the expansion of the Get the Good Stuff program including reviewing supermarket inventories for eligible fruits and vegetables, supporting program launch at participating supermarkets and enrolling participants. Drafted and executed contracts with two POS vendors and five supermarkets selected to implement Get the Good Stuff with GusNIP funding. Launched Get the Good Stuff at five new supermarkets, for a total of 11 participating supermarkets supported with GusNIP funding. Distributed $1 in incentives for every $1 spent in SNAP up to $10/day on eligible food at 11 supermarkets. From September 2022 through August 2023, program participants accrued more than $970K and redeemed more than $890K worth of incentives. Drafted and sent contracts to three additional supermarkets selected to implement Get the Good Stuff with GusNIP funding. Contracts awaiting execution. Data collected Obj. 1: Names and locations of supermarkets selected to implement the Get the Good Stuff expansion. Obj. 2: Incentive accrual and redemption data Obj. 3: Program enrollment forms Summary statistics Obj. 1: Increased the number of grocery stores participating in the program under GusNIP from 6 to 11 between September 2022-August 2023 and identified 3 additional supermarkets to implement Get the Good Stuff under GusNIP. Obj. 2: Increased the value of fruit and vegetable incentives redeemed by grocery store customers with SNAP annually from $200K at baseline in 2020 to $890K between September 2022-August 2023. Obj. 3: Increased the number of individuals with SNAP who participate in the incentive program from a baseline of 4,700 in 2020 to 10,200 in August 2023. Key outcomes (obj. 1-3) Increased number of New Yorkers using SNAP who know how to access incentives at NYC grocery stores. Increased fruit and vegetable purchases by participants using SNAP incentives at supermarkets from September 2022-August 2023. [1] NYC Open Data. Borough/Community District Report - SNAP Population. Updated 7/18/2023. https://data.cityofnewyork.us/Social-Services/Borough-Community-District-Report-SNAP-Population/jye8-w4d7 [2] Gundersen C, Ziliak JP. Food Insecurity and Health Outcomes. Health Aff, 2015;34(11):1830-9
Publications
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Progress 09/01/21 to 08/31/22
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience for the Big Apple Incentives project in year 2 included: New Yorkers with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. More than 1.7 million NYC residents across the city's five boroughs participated in SNAP in 2022[1] and had access to nutrition incentives through the three Big Apple Incentives programs: Health Bucks, Half Off Farm Box and Get the Good Stuff. During the year 2 GusNIP implementation period, thousands of New Yorkers extended their purchasing power for fresh fruits and vegetables through the Health Bucks SNAP incentive at NYC farmers markets (spend $2 in SNAP, get $2 in Health Bucks up to $10 per day). New Yorkers with SNAP also accessed discounts on pre-assembled boxes of fresh, locally grown produce at food box locations through the Half Off Farm Box program. More than 9,400 New Yorkers have enrolled in Get the Good Stuff since its launch in 2019, of which nearly 50% are Hispanic/Latino/Latina and 16% are Black. Of those enrolled, approximately 5,680 participants utilized incentives to purchase fruits and vegetables at participating supermarkets in GusNIP project year 2. Operators of NYC farmers markets and food box locations and regional farmers. Over 110 NYC farmers markets distributed Health Bucks as a SNAP incentive and 26 food box locations provided the Half Off Farm Box discount to customers paying with SNAP. Big Apple Incentives promotes the regional economy by increasing demand for locally grown fruits and vegetables among New Yorkers with SNAP benefits. Regional farmers are served through increased SNAP and Health Bucks spending on produce sold at farmers markets. Regional farmers have also benefited from the extension of fruit and vegetable incentives to food boxes through the Half Off Farm Box program. Owners of six independent supermarkets currently participating in Get the Good Stuff as well as owners of independent supermarkets located in NYC communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, racism and disinvestment. Six supermarkets (three in the Bronx and one each in Queens and Brooklyn) currently operate Get the Good Stuff and are increasing eligible customers' spending power on hundreds of eligible fresh, frozen, canned and dried fruits, vegetables and beans. During grant year 2, Big Apple Incentives also targeted supermarkets located in neighborhoods identified as priority by NYC's Taskforce on Racial Inclusion and Equity and where 33% or more of residents live at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Line (FPL). Stores in eligible zip codes, along with their point-of-sales (POS) vendors, were invited to apply to participate in the Get the Good Stuff program expansion. Thirty-three stores applied and eight new stores with over $35M in total annual SNAP sales were selected to participate in the program expansion supported with GusNIP funding. Selected stores are located in neighborhoods where on average an average of 54% of residents live at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Line. Over 193,000 SNAP recipients reside in the community districts where selected the stores are located and 11% of residents report eating no fruits and vegetables on the prior day. Residents of neighborhoods with selected stores are predominantly Hispanic and Black. [1] NYC Open Data. Bourgh/Community District Report - SNAP Population. Updated 10/14/2022. https://data.cityofnewyork.us/Social-Services/Borough-Community-District-Report-SNAP-Population/jye8-w4d7 Changes/Problems:Due to increased demand for Health Bucks through the SNAP incentive program, we anticipate Health Bucks redemption costs will be nearly triple the amount budgeted in federal and matching funds in our GusNIP award. We have identified additional agency funds to support some of the additional costs and reallocated unspent incentive funds from the year 1 budget for Get the Good Stuff to Health Bucks to cover remaining expenses. While we plan to request additional City funding to support the program long term, the request may not be granted due to a poor fiscal outlook and anticipated citywide budget cuts. We have been unable to secure the SNAP transaction dataset that allows us to determine the number of individuals with SNAP who participate in Health Bucks and the Half Off Farm Box program. In the past, we have used annual individual-level SNAP transaction data provided by GrowNYC, a partner on our Big Apple Incentives project, to determine the number of program participants and changes in participation from year to year. The state SNAP agency previously provided GrowNYC with this data on an annual basis. However, the state's SNAP agency recently changed their data sharing policy and is unwilling to provide retailers, including GrowNYC, with their SNAP transaction data. We will attempt to secure the data through other avenues. Expansion of the Get the Good Stuff program was delayed due to capacity constraints following the departure of the Get the Good Stuff NYC Program Manager (primarily supported by our GusCRR grant). We are in the process of rehiring for this role. The Program Manager will oversee execution of contracts with new supermarkets and their POS vendors, development of electronic nutrition incentive systems and program launch at all new supermarkets. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We disseminated information about the number and value of SNAP incentives distributed through GusNIP-funded activities through presentations to community stakeholders. Information about incentives distributed in 2022 will also be disseminated through the annual NYC Food Metrics Report issued by the Mayor's Office of Food Policy. We disseminated information about SNAP incentive programming to communities of interest through presentations and meetings with a wide range of stakeholders including: NYC Community Board 4 in October 2021; Nutrition Incentive Hub's national convening in January 2022; Farmers Market Alliance Meeting in January and May 2022; NYC Health Department's Faith-Based Outreach Initiative meeting in May 2022; and the Health Bucks market operator meeting in June 2022. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We plan to complete the following in the next reporting period to accomplish our goals: Continue to distribute $2 in Health Bucks for every $2 spent in SNAP up to $10 in Health Bucks per day at 110+ farmers markets across NYC. Track coupon distribution and redemption and calculate redemption rates. Obtain and analyze 2021-2022 farmers market and food box SNAP transaction data to assess incentive program participation and changes in median value of Health Bucks distributed per participant compared to prior years when $2 in Health Bucks was distributed for every $5 spent in SNAP. Execute contracts with additional food boxes to implement Half Off Farm Box and provide a 50% discount on SNAP purchases of preassembled, prepaid bags of local produce. Execute contracts with the 8 new stores selected to implement Get the Good Stuff with GusNIP funding and stores' POS vendors. In partnership with the stores' POS vendors, program and test electronic nutrition incentive systems at each store. Launch Get the Good Stuff at all new stores and distribute a $1 for $1 match up to $10/day on SNAP purchases of eligible fruits, vegetables and beans. Support program implementation through: Training supermarket staff to enroll participants and operate incentive system; Providing supermarkets with promotional materials including posters, floor decals, palm cards and shelf-talkers; Assist stores with onsite recruitment and enrollment of participants and providing ongoing technical assistance and support troubleshooting issues.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Approximately 1.7 million of New York City's (NYC) 8.5 million residents relied on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) for food in 2022. The COVID-19 pandemic led to historically high unemployment rates which created financial instability for many New Yorkers and exacerbated food insecurity. From April to October 2020, about 45% of New Yorkers reported less income and about 20% reported being unable to buy groceries due to lack of money for food.[1] Income is associated with fruit and vegetable consumption and in 2020 New Yorkers who lived in high-poverty households, including New Yorkers with SNAP benefits, were more likely not to consume any fruits and vegetables in a day than those in low-poverty households. Access to nutritious food is essential to health and wellbeing[2], yet many New Yorkers cannot afford the fruits and vegetables needed for a healthy diet. With support from a USDA Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) grant, NYC's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's (DOHMH) Big Apple Incentive Program (BAI) issued over $2.6M in point of purchase incentives for fruits and vegetables incentives to thousands of New Yorkers with SNAP benefits shopping at over 110 farmers markets, 6 supermarkets and at 26 food box locations between September 2021-August 2022. The nutrition incentives helped make fruits and vegetables more affordable for shoppers using SNAP. Activities completed (obj. 1 & 2) Maintained the SNAP incentive ratio ($2 in Health Bucks for every $2 spent in SNAP, up to $10 in Health Bucks per day) introduced in 2021. Distributed more than 845,000 Health Bucks worth over $1.69M in fruits and vegetables at 117 farmers markets between September 2021-August 2022. Nearly half (47%) of all markets distributing Health Bucks are located in neighborhoods where 20% or more of residents live at or below 100% of the Federal Poverty Line (FPL). Matched purchases made with Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) benefits, contributed to the largest increase in Health Bucks distribution since the program began in 2007. Met with farmers market operators to provide training on the SNAP incentive program. Discussed best practices for coupon distribution, tracking, and program promotion. Shared best practices to provide farmers as they are redeeming Health Bucks. Designed and printed farmers market maps in English and Spanish and translated materials promoting the SNAP incentive level into 8 languages. Disseminated materials at farmers markets and to over 600 community organizations for distribution to their clients. Data collected (obj. 1 & 2): Monthly market-level SNAP sales totals and Health Bucks distribution data. Unable to collect individual-level SNAP and Health Bucks distribution data - see changes/problems section for more information. Summary statistics (obj. 1 & 2): Distributed over $1.49M worth of Health Bucks as a SNAP incentive in calendar year 2021 of which approximately 90% were redeemed for fruits and vegetables. Number of individuals participating in Health Bucks SNAP incentive and average value of Health Bucks received to be determined when dataset is available. Key outcomes (obj. 1 & 2): Increased fruit and vegetable purchases by New Yorkers using SNAP and Health Bucks at farmers markets from September 2021-August 2022. Activities completed (obj. 1-3) Recruited 5 food box operators representing 8 new food box sites to participate in the Half Off Farm Box program. Executed contracts with new and returning sites. Trained new and returning food box operators on providing, tracking and invoicing for the 50% discount on food boxes purchased with SNAP. Shared flyers and posters in English, Spanish and Simplified Chinese to participating food box operators to promote the discount. Implemented Half Off Farm Box at 26 locations distributing nearly 10,000 boxes of locally grown fruit & vegetables and applying more than $55,000 worth of incentives for boxes purchased between September 2021-August 2022. This amounts to nearly $65,000 in discounts since the program launched in July 2021. Approximately 45% of all food box sites distributing discounted farm boxes are in neighborhoods with high rates of poverty (20% or more of residents below the FPL). Data collected Obj. 1: Food box locations implementing program Obj. 2: Unable to collect individual-level SNAP data - see changes/problems section for more information. Obj. 3: SNAP transaction data and number of food boxes sold to customers paying with SNAP at participating sites Summary statistics Obj. 1: Increased the number of food box sites that provide a 50% discount on SNAP purchases from 0 to 26 since program launch in July 2021 and August 2022 Obj. 2: Data not available Obj. 3: At GrowNYC Fresh Food Box sites (operating 12 of the 26 sites implementing Half Off Farm Box), 22% of food box purchases between September 2021 and August 2022 were paid for with SNAP. Twenty-five percent of all food boxes distributed between September 2021 and August 2022 were purchased using SNAP at 5 sites operated by Children's Aid Society. Key outcomes Obj 1: Established new avenue for produce incentive distribution Obj 2: Data not available Obj 3: Increased number of food boxes purchased using SNAP from September 2021-August 2022. Activities completed (obj. 1-3) Developed eligibility criteria, drafted and issued a Request for Applications (RFA) to identify up to 20 supermarkets in communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, racism and disinvestment to operate an electronic incentive program benefitting New Yorkers who participate in SNAP. Disseminated the RFA to over 100 contacts including supermarket owners, point-of sales (POS) vendors, community organizations, local elected officials and local nutrition and public health listservs. Reviewed applications from 33 supermarkets. Selected 15 new stores, of which 8 will be supported with GusNIP funds, to implement the Get the Good Stuff expansion. Distributed $1 in incentives for every $1 spent in SNAP up to $10/day on eligible food. From September 2021 through August 2022, program participants accrued more than $874K and redeemed more than $828K worth of incentives. Data collected Obj. 1: Names and locations of supermarkets selected to implement the Get the Good Stuff expansion. Obj. 2: Incentive accrual and redemption data Obj. 3: Program enrollment forms Summary statistics Obj. 1: Maintained the number of grocery stores participating in the program at 6 between September 2021-August 2022 and identified 8 new supermarkets to implement Get the Good Stuff under GusNIP. Obj. 2: Increased the value of fruit and vegetable incentives redeemed by grocery store customers with SNAP annually from $200K at baseline in 2020 to $560K between January-August 2022. Obj. 3: Increased the number of individuals with SNAP who participate in the incentive program by 100% from a baseline of 4,700 in 2020 to 9,400 in August 2022. Key outcomes (obj. 1-3) Increased number of New Yorkers using SNAP who know how to access incentives at NYC grocery stores. Increased fruit and vegetable purchases by participants using SNAP incentives at supermarkets from September 2021-August 2022. [1] Crossa A, Baquero M, Etheredge AJ, et al. Food insecurity and access in New York City during the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020. New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene: Epi Data Brief (128); 2021. [2] Gundersen C, Ziliak JP. Food Insecurity and Health Outcomes. Health Aff, 2015;34(11):1830-9
Publications
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Progress 09/01/20 to 08/31/21
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience for the Big Apple Incentives project in year 1 were the 1.7 million NYC residents across the city's five boroughs that participated in the SNAP program. Thousands of New Yorkers with SNAP accessed Health Bucks at over 120 farmers markets citywide. Since June 2019, when Get the Good Stuff launched, over 8,700 New Yorkers have enrolled in the program at six supermarkets, of which nearly 50% are Hispanic/Latino/Latina and 16% are Black. Approximately 3,750 people enrolled in the program redeemed incentives during the GusNIP implementation period between March-August 2021. More than 120 New Yorkers purchased a half-price food box with SNAP benefits at 11 Half Off Farm Box locations. Big Apple Incentives also promotes the regional economy by increasing demand for locally-grown fruits and vegetables among New Yorkers with SNAP benefits. Regional farmers are served through increased SNAP and Health Bucks spending on produce sold at farmers markets. Regional farmers have also benefited the extension of fruit and vegetable incentives to food boxes through the Half Off Farm Box program. The project also supports independently owned and operated supermarkets participating inGet the Good Stuff by increasing the spending power of customers with SNAP on hundreds of eligible fresh, frozen, canned and dried fruits, vegetables and beans. Changes/Problems:Demand for Health Bucks through the farmers market SNAP incentive in 2021 far exceeded projections despite changing the Health Bucks cap from $10 per transaction to $10 per day. We think the increased demand is a result of the new $2 for $2 incentive ratio and an influx of P-EBT benefits in NYC. Approximately 1 million public school children received hundreds of dollars in P-EBT benefits in 2021 and some families chose to spend the money at farmers markets. We plan to analyze 2021 SNAP transaction data at the end of the year to assess the impact of P-EBT benefits. At that time, we will determine the number of individuals with SNAP who participated in the Health Bucks program in 2021 and the median value of Health Bucks distributed per person and compare our findings to prior years. Due to increased demand for Health Bucks through the SNAP incentive program, we anticipate Health Bucks redemption costs will be nearly triple the amount budgeted in federal and matching funds in our GusNIP award. We have identified additional agency funds to support some of the additional costs and plan to reallocate unspent incentive funds from the year 1 budget for Get the Good Stuff to Health Bucks to cover remaining expenses. Expansion of the Get the Good Stuff program has been delayed due to redeployment of program staff to work on the NYC Health Department's COVID-19 response. Staff had limited capacity during project year 1 to prepare the RFP to identify new supermarkets for the expansion. The program coordinator subsequently left the agency and we are in the process of rehiring for the role. We plan to issue the RFP, select supermarkets and implement the program expansion in project year 2. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We will disseminate information about the number and value of SNAP incentives distributed through GusNIP-funded activities when the 2021 dataset is complete after the end of the year. The results will be disseminated through the annual NYC Food Metrics Report issued by the Mayor's Office of Food Policy, as well as through presentations to community stakeholders. We disseminated information about SNAP incentive programming to communities of interest in several ways including via: • Press release announcing the grant award and plans to expand SNAP incentive programming (https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/about/press/pr2021/good-health-good-value-nyc-receives-grant-for-affordable-healthy-food.page). • Presentations and meetings with stakeholders. We presented on our nutrition incentive programs to a wide range of community stakeholders including to residents and community leaders at the NYC Public Housing Authority, to nutrition staff at NYC Health + Hospitals, in meetings with the NYC Department of Social Services, and at a SNAP Taskforce meeting convened by Food Bank for NYC. • Email communication from the Commissioner of the NYC Department of Social Services to over 5,000 organizations. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We plan to complete the following in the next reporting period to accomplish our goals: • Continue to distribute $2 in Health Bucks for every $2 spent in SNAP up to $10 in Health Bucks per day at 120+ farmers markets across NYC. Track coupon distribution and redemption and calculate redemption rates. • Analyze 2021 SNAP transaction and Health Bucks distribution data to measure increase in participation, Health Bucks distribution and median value of Health Bucks distributed per participant in 2021 compared to prior years when $2 in Health Bucks was distributed for every $5 spent in SNAP. • Execute contracts with additional food boxes to implement Half Off Farm Box and provide a 50% discount on SNAP purchases of prepackaged, prepaid bags of local produce. Many food box locations have funding to distribute boxes for free as part of the COVID-19 response. As that funding comes to an end, we anticipate more food boxes will participate in the incentive program. • Issue a request for proposals to identify supermarkets to participate in the Get the Good Stuff expansion. Select and execute contracts with 8 new supermarkets, for a total of 14 supermarkets participating in Get the Good Stuff. Train staff at new supermarkets to enroll participants and implement program. Launch program at all stores and distribute a $1 for $1 match up to $10/day on SNAP purchases of eligible fruits, vegetables and beans.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Impact Statement Approximately 1.7 million of New York City's (NYC) 8.5 million residents relied on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) for food in 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic led to historically high unemployment rates which created financial instability for many New Yorkers and exacerbated food insecurity. From April to October 2020, about 45% of New Yorkers reported less income and about 20% reported being unable to buy groceries due to lack of money for food. Income is associated with fruit and vegetable consumption and in 2018 New Yorkers who lived in high- and medium-poverty households, including New Yorkers with SNAP benefits, were more likely not to consume any fruits and vegetables in a day than those in low-poverty households. Access to nutritious food is essential to health and wellbeing , yet many New Yorkers cannot afford the fruits and vegetables needed for a healthy diet. With support from a USDA Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) grant, NYC's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's (DOHMH) Big Apple Incentive Program (BAI) issued over $745K in point of purchase incentives for fruits and vegetables incentives to thousands of New Yorkers with SNAP benefits shopping at over 110 farmers markets, 6 supermarkets and at 11 food box locations between January-August 2021. The nutrition incentives helped make fruits and vegetables more affordable for shoppers using SNAP. Accomplishments Goals 1 - 3 Goal 1 Activities Completed (obj. a& b) • Beginning January 1, 2021 increased the SNAP incentive ratio from $2 in Health Bucks for every $5 spent in SNAP to $2 in Health Bucks for every $2 spent in SNAP, up to $10 in Health Bucks per day. Distributed more than 360,000 Health Bucks worth over $720,000 in fruits and vegetables at 123 farmers markets between January-August 2021. Matched purchases made with Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) benefits, contributing to the largest increase in Health Bucks distribution since the program began in 2007. • Met with operators of 123 farmers markets to provide training on new SNAP incentive level. Discussed best practices for coupon distribution, tracking and promotion. • Designed and distributed farmers market maps in English and Spanish and translated materials promoting the new SNAP incentive level into 8 languages. Disseminated materials at farmers markets and to over 500 community organizations for distribution to their clients. Data Collected (obj. a& b): Monthly farmers market SNAP transaction and Health Bucks distribution data. Summary Statistics (obj. a& b): Will determine at the end of the calendar year when SNAP transaction and Health Bucks distribution datasets are complete. Key Outcomes (obj. a& b): Developed and documented processes for distributing Health Bucks at the new $2 for $2 incentive ratio with a daily cap. Goal 2 Activities Completed (obj. a-c) • Developed a protocol for providing, tracking and invoicing for the 50% discount on food boxes purchased with SNAP and executed contracts with 3 food box operators. • Met with food box operators to provide training on program implementation and reporting requirements. Launched Half Off Farm Box at 11 locations and applied more than $7,300 worth of incentives to boxes purchased between July-August 2021. • Developed materials to promote program and submitted for translation into 13 languages. Data Collected • Obj. a: Food box locations implementing program • Obj. b: Number of individuals with SNAP accessing discount • Obj. c: SNAP transaction data at food boxes implementing program Summary Statistics • Obj. a: Increased the number of food box sites that provide a 50% discount on SNAP purchases from 0 to 11 between 2020 and August 2021. • Obj. b: Increased the number of individuals with SNAP who purchase food boxes and receive a 50% discount from 0 to over 120 between 2020 and August 2021. • Obj. c: Will determine at the end of the calendar year when SNAP transaction dataset is complete. Key Outcomes (obj. a-c) • Developed and documented process for applying a 50% discount on SNAP purchases of prepaid bags of locally grown produce. • Established new avenue for produce incentive distribution through food boxes. Goal 3 Activities Completed (obj. a-c) • Contracted with two point-of-sales vendors to adjust daily incentive cap from $50 to $10 at 6 supermarkets beginning March 2021, following the conclusion of our Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) grant and transition to GusNIP funding. • Distributed $1 in incentives for every $1 spent in SNAP up to $10/day on eligible food. Approximately 5,800 New Yorkers enrolled in the program redeemed more than $293K in incentives during the GusNIP implementation period from March-August 2021. Over the year 1 project period from September 2020 through August 2021, including 6 overlapping months of our FINI grant, program participants redeemed more than $998K worth of incentives. • Presented on program expansion plans at meeting with grocery store owners hosted by the NYC Economic Development Corporation. • Drafted RFA including developing eligibility requirements and selection criteria. Data Collected • Obj. a: Names and locations of grocery stores implementing program • Obj. b: Incentive redemption data • Obj. c: Program enrollment forms Summary Statistics • Obj. a: Maintained the number of grocery stores participating in the program at 6 between March-August 2021. • Obj. b: Increase the value of fruit and vegetable incentives redeemed by grocery store customers with SNAP annually from $200K at baseline in 2020 to $523K between January-August 2021. • Obj. c: Increased the number of individuals with SNAP who participate in the incentive program by 85% from a baseline of 4,700 in 2020 to 8,700 in August 2021. Key Outcomes (obj. a-c) • Increased number of New Yorkers with SNAP know how to access incentives at NYC grocery stores. • Developed and documented process for distributing electronic incentives with a $10 daily cap. References 1.Crossa A, Baquero M, Etheredge AJ, et al. Food insecurity and access in New York City during the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020. New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene: Epi Data Brief (128); 2021. 2. Gundersen C, Ziliak JP. Food Insecurity and Health Outcomes. Health Aff, 2015;34(11):1830-9
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