Progress 08/01/23 to 07/31/24
Outputs
Target Audience: 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 2023, including more than 225,000 New Yorkers residing in community districts with stores operating the Get the Good Stuff program under the Get the Good Stuff NYC project during grant year 3.[1]?,[2] New Yorkers with SNAP extended their purchasing power for eligible fresh, frozen, canned and dried fruits, vegetables and beans at five supermarkets located in the Bedford-Stuyvesant (Brooklyn), Castle Hill (Bronx), East Harlem (Manhattan), Far Rockaway (Queens), and Inwood (Manhattan) neighborhoods of NYC. For every $1 spent on eligible fruits, vegetables and beans using SNAP at the stores, shoppers enrolled in Get the Good Stuff received a matching $1 for the next purchase of eligible fruits, vegetables and beans, up to $10 per day. More than 2,000 New Yorkers enrolled in Get the Good Stuff under the Get the Good Stuff NYC project from August 2023-July 2024, bringing total enrollment at GusCRR grant-supported stores to over 2,615. More than 70% of enrolled customers are Hispanic/Latino/Latina and 15% are Black. Owners of fifteen independent supermarkets selected to implement Get the Good Stuff under the Get the Good Stuff NYC project, including owners of five supermarkets that operated the program in grant year 3. All supermarkets are located in neighborhoods where 33% or more of residents live at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Line (FPL) and 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. The program's expansion addresses the nutrition security needs of residents of communities with high COVID-19 mortality rates, high prevalence of chronic illness and a large number of individuals experiencing poverty and pre-existing health conditions. By partnering with stores in these neighborhoods, more supermarkets in communities hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic will offer nutrition incentives, helping ensure an equity-based approach to COVID-19 response and recovery efforts. [1] NYC Food By the Numbers Report 2023. https://www.nyc.gov/assets/foodpolicy/downloads/pdf/nycfoodbythenumbersfinal.pdf [2] NYC Open Data. Borough/Community District Report - SNAP Population. December 2023. https://data.cityofnewyork.us/Social-Services/Borough-Community-District-Report/5awp-wfkt/about_data Changes/Problems:Program launch was postponed to October/November 2024 due to POS vendor delays at two supermarkets selected to participate in Get the Good Stuff under the first RFA issued in 2022. The vendor had to get permission from the POS software provider to initiate Get the Good Stuff programming work and it took longer than anticipated for the permission to be granted. Of the 8 stores selected to implement Get the Good Stuff under the 2024 RFA, we ran into issues with 3 stores including: Two stores that contract with a POS vendor that has not operated Get the Good Stuff previously and had to withdraw from the program. While the POS vendor had initially indicated that they would be able to develop the electronic incentive system needed to operate Get the Good Stuff, the POS vendor later notified us that they would not be able to program the incentive system during the grant period due to limitations in their current software. Since we are unable to implement the program at the two stores without support from their POS vendor, we removed them from the program and selected a different store from the 2024 RFA as a replacement. The contract for this replacement store is currently being drafted. One store was unresponsive to our communications and did not return a signed contract or send questions/concerns by the requested deadline. We removed the store from the program and selected a different store from the 2024 RFA as a replacement. The contract for this replacement store is currently being drafted. 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 Get the Good Stuff to communities of interest through presentations with stakeholders such as community health workers at the NYC Health Department's Bureau of Brooklyn Neighborhood Health, to a large network of faith-based organizations in the Bronx, and to local elected officials. We disseminated promotional materials to community gathering sites near supermarkets participating in Get the Good Stuff such as SNAP enrollment centers, older adult centers, community health centers, and schools. We also promoted the program on the Health Department Healthy Eating Unit's social media channels and in quarterly newsletters disseminated to over 900 contacts at local community and faith-based organizations, in local government, health systems and academia. We disseminated information about the program to New Yorkers in coordination with the NYC Human Resources Administration, the city agency responsible for administering SNAP, and NYC Health and Hospitals, the city's public healthcare system. We presented on program design and best practices to new GusNIP grant awardees. 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: Execute contracts with four additional supermarkets selected to implement Get the Good Stuff NYC with GusCRR funding. In partnership with the supermarkets and their POS vendors, including one POS vendor new to Get the Good Stuff, program and test electronic nutrition incentive systems at each store. Launch Get the Good Stuff NYC at a new supermarket by October 2024 and at four more stores supported by GusCRR by March 2025. At all participating stores, distribute a $1 for $1 match up to $10/day on SNAP purchases of eligible fruits, vegetables and beans. Promote Get the Good Stuff at new supermarkets by displaying promotional materials including posters, floor decals, palm cards and shelf talkers. Develop and print new materials as requested by supermarket partners. Conduct weekly visits to participating supermarkets to support program implementation and customer enrollment. Continue to reach out to community and faith-based organizations located near participating supermarkets to share promotional materials. Continue to promote the program on Health Department social media channels, at Health Department health centers, and in partnership with NYC Health + Hospitals and NYC Human Resources Administration.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Impact statement Approximately 1.7 million of New York City's (NYC) more than 8 million residents relied on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for food in 2023. 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] New Yorkers who are Latino/a, Black and Asian were more likely to report they had less income for food than New Yorkers who are white. High rates of food insecurity have persisted since then. In 2023, 40.2% of NYC adults lived in a household at risk for food insecurity and adult households with children were more likely to be at-risk for food insecurity (48.8%) compared to those without children (35.4%).[2] Access to nutritious food is essential to health and wellbeing[3], yet many New Yorkers cannot afford the fruits and vegetables needed for a healthy diet. With support from a USDA Covid Relief and Response (CRR) grant, between August 2023-July 2024 the NYC Department of health and Mental Hygiene (Health Department) issued over $235,000 in point of purchase nutrition incentives to New Yorkers at five supermarkets operating Get the Good Stuff. Getthe Good Stuff is a fully electronic nutrition incentive program that provides a $1 for $1 match on SNAP purchases of eligible fresh, frozen, canned, and dried fruits, vegetables, and beans. Seventy percent of program participants at the five supermarkets are Hispanic and approximately fifteen percent are black. One in three program participants reported that they have been diagnosed with hypertension, and one in four have been diagnosed with diabetes. More than half of participants reported that they worried the food they bought would not last until they had money to buy more at least some of the time. A total of 19 stores operated Get the Good Stuff during the reporting period (five of which are supported by GusCRR; the other 14 are supported by a Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) grant) and distributed over $1,680,000 worth of fruit and vegetable incentives to New Yorkers with SNAP benefits. More than 15,600 New Yorkers with SNAP have enrolled in the program. Accomplishments Activities completed (Obj. 1-3) Hired three part-time outreach associates to promote the program and support customer enrollment at participating supermarkets and to disseminate promotional materials to nearby community health centers, older adult centers and schools. Promoted the program through other channels including: 1) On the Health Department Healthy Eating Unit's social media site; 2) In quarterly newsletters disseminated to over 900 contacts at local community and faith-based organizations, in local government, health systems and academia; 3) Through distribution of program flyers at 12 NYC Health Department-operated health centers which help New Yorkers enroll in health insurance and apply for SNAP benefits; 4) In a guide prepared by NYC Health + Hospitals to support community health workers with connecting patients with food insecurity to healthy food resources; 5) On the NYC Human Resources Administration's (HRA) Access HRA webpage. Access HRA is an online benefits portal where NYC residents can apply for social service benefits; and 6) In an email from HRA to community-based organizations that enroll eligible New Yorkers in SNAP. Connected the owner of a supermarket operating Get the Good Stuff under GusCRR with staff from GrowNYC's New York State Regional Food Hub to discuss the challenges that independently owned grocery retailers face in procuring regionally grown produce and opportunities with the new food hub. Executed contracts with two POS vendors and four supermarkets selected to implement Get the Good Stuff with GusCRR funding as part of the first Get the Good Stuff Expansion Request for Applications (RFA) issued in 2022. Reviewed inventories from four stores and identified items eligible for incentives. Collaborated with a new POS vendor to develop an electronic system for issuing and redeeming incentives on eligible purchases using their POS system. Launched Get the Good Stuff at three new stores for a total of five supermarkets that distributed fruit and vegetable incentives with GusCRR support. From August 2023-July 2024, participants accrued more than $235,000 in incentives and redeemed more than $200,000 worth of incentives at GusCRR-supported stores. Over 2,600 individuals with SNAP participated in Get the Good Stuff under the Get the Good Stuff NYC project. The program reached an additional 2,000 people residing in the same households as program participants. Released a second RFA in early 2024 to identify up to eight additional supermarkets in communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, racism and disinvestment to operate Get the Good Stuff. To be eligible to participate in the Get the Good Stuff NYC expansion, supermarkets had to be located in a neighborhood either: 1) identified priority by the NYC COVID-19 Taskforce for Racial Inclusion and Equity (TRIE) and where 33% or more of residents live at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Line (FPL) based on the American Community Survey 2014-2018 or 2) Documented as serving residents of neighborhoods in Staten Island identified as priority by the NYC COVID-19 TRIE. Stores had to use a POS system to process transactions and contract with a POS vendor willing to develop an electronic incentive system. The RFA prioritized supermarkets located in eligible zip codes that did not have a participating supermarket. Reviewed applications from 36 supermarkets received in response to the second RFA and selected eight to participate in the Get the Good Stuff expansion with GusCRR funding. Drafted and sent contracts to four of the eight supermarkets selected through the RFA and their POS vendors, including a POS vendor that has not previously participated in Get the Good Stuff. Contracts are awaiting signature. Data collected: Obj. 1: Names and locations of supermarkets implementing, or selected to implement, the Get the Good Stuff expansion Obj. 2: Incentive accrual and redemption data Obj. 3: Program enrollment forms Summary statistics and summary of results: Obj. 1: Increased the number of independently owned supermarkets participating Get the Good Stuff from 14 supported by GusNIP to 19 supported by both GusNIP and GusCRR. Obj. 2: Increased the amount of fruit and vegetable incentives redeemed by supermarket customers with SNAP from $1,331,719 over 145,039 transactions at 14 supermarkets supported by GusNIP from August 2023-July 2024 to $1,535,090 over 166,524 transactions at 19 supermarkets supported by both GusNIP and GusCRR during the same period. Obj. 3: Increased the number of individuals with SNAP who have enrolled in the incentive program since the beginning of the GusNIP grant period in September 2020 by 20% from 13,000 at 14 supermarkets supported by GusNIP to 15,615 at 19 supermarkets supported by both GusNIP and GusCRR. Key outcomes Increased the number of New Yorkers using SNAP who know how to access nutrition incentives at NYC grocery stores. Developed and documented a process for electronically distributing and redeeming Get the Good Stuff incentives with a new POS vendor using their system. Increased fruit and vegetable purchases by participants using SNAP incentives at supermarkets from August 2023 - July 2024. [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] NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's NYC Community Health Survey, 2023. [3] Gundersen C, Ziliak JP. Food Insecurity and Health Outcomes. Health Aff, 2015;34(11):1830-9
Publications
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Progress 08/01/22 to 07/31/23
Outputs
Target Audience: New Yorkers with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Nearly 1.7 million NYC residents across the city's five boroughs participated in SNAP in 2022 including more than 100,000 New Yorkers residing in the community districts where GusCRR year 2 grant activities were heavily focused.[1],[2] New Yorkers with SNAP extended their purchasing power for eligible fresh, frozen, canned and dried fruits, vegetables and beans at two supermarkets located in the Castle Hill (Bronx) and Inwood (Manhattan) neighborhoods of NYC that launched Get the Good Stuff under the Get the Good Stuff NYC project in mid-2023. For every $1 spent on eligible fruits, vegetables and beans using SNAP at the stores, shoppers enrolled in Get the Good Stuff received a matching $1 for the next purchase of eligible fruits, vegetables and beans, up to $10 per day. Of the more than 170 New Yorkers enrolled in Get the Good Stuff under the GusCRR grant between June-July 2023, nearly 80% are Hispanic/Latino/Latina and 15% are Black. Owners of seven independent supermarkets selected to implement Get the Good Stuff under the Get the Good Stuff NYC project, including owners of two supermarkets that launched the program in grant year 2. All supermarkets are located in neighborhoods where 33% or more of residents live at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Line (FPL) and 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. The program's expansion addresses the nutrition security needs of residents of communities with high COVID-19 mortality rates, high prevalence of chronic illness and a large number of individuals experiencing poverty and pre-existing health conditions. By partnering with stores in these neighborhoods, more supermarkets in communities hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic will offer nutrition incentives, helping ensure an equity-based approach to COVID-19 response and recovery efforts. [1] NYC Food Metrics Report 2022. https://www.nyc.gov/assets/foodpolicy/downloads/pdf/Food%20Metrics%20Report%20FY%202022_FINAL.pdf [2] NYC Open Data. Borough/Community District Report - SNAP Population. June 2022. https://data.cityofnewyork.us/Social-Services/Borough-Community-District-Report-SNAP-Population/jye8-w4d7 Changes/Problems: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. 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 selection of at least three additional supermarkets, bringing the total number of supermarkets implementing the Get the Good Stuff expansion with GusCRR funding to ten or more. Program implementation at the two new supermarkets supported by Gus CRR began in the final two months of reporting Year 2 and participant enrollment was initially slow. We are confident that enrollment at these stores will increase in Year 3 as stores have more time to implement the program. We will continue to promote the program through presentations, social media and outreach to local community organizations. We anticipate program enrollment will increase overall in Year 3 as additional stores launch Get the Good Stuff and word spreads about the incentive program. 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 Get the Good Stuff to communities of interest through presentations with stakeholders such as community health workers at the NYC Health Department's Bureau of Brooklyn Neighborhood Health. We 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? Execute contracts with the remaining four supermarkets and three POS vendors selected to implement Get the Good Stuff NYC with GusCRR funding. Work with three new POS vendors to develop the electronic nutrition incentive system for Get the Good Stuff. In partnership with selected supermarkets and their POS vendors, program and test new electronic nutrition incentive systems at each store. Launch Get the Good Stuff NYC at a third supermarket by August 2023 and at four more stores supported by GusCRR by July 2024. At all participating stores, distribute a $1 for $1 match up to $10/day on SNAP purchases of eligible fruits, vegetables and beans. Hire and train two Program Associates to enroll participants in Get the Good Stuff at participating supermarkets and 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. Release a second RFA to identify up to five additional supermarkets to implement Get the Good Stuff in zip codes that do not have stores currently participating in the program or a store selected for the expansion. Execute contracts with selected supermarkets and their POS vendors to implement Get the Good Stuff. Program the electronic incentive system and launch Get the Good Stuff at new stores bringing the total number of stores operating Get the Good Stuff to at least 24.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Impact statement Approximately 1.7 million of New York City's (NYC) more than 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] New Yorkers who are Latino/a, Black and Asian were more likely to report they had less income for food than New Yorkers who are white. 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 Covid Relief and Response (CRR) grant, between August 2022-July 2023 the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) drafted contracts for five supermarkets and three point-of-sales (POS) vendors selected to implement Get the Good Stuff, an electronic nutrition incentive program that provides a dollar-for-dollar match on SNAP purchases of eligible fresh, frozen, canned, and dried fruits, vegetables and beans. Three supermarket contracts and two POS vendor contracts were executed and two stores supported by GusCRR successfully launched Get the Good Stuff, bringing the total number of supermarkets operating the program to 13 (two of which are supported by GusCRR; the other 11 are supported by a Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) grant). Eighty percent of program participants at the two new supermarkets are Hispanic, and approximately 15% are black. One in three program participants at the two new supermarkets reported that they have been diagnosed with hypertension, and one in four have been diagnosed with diabetes. More than two thirds of participants reported that they worried the food they bought would not last until they had money to buy more at least some of the time. A new RFA was drafted to identify 3-5 additional supermarkets to participate in Get the Good Stuff under GusCRR, prioritizing supermarkets in neighborhoods where at least 33% of residents live at or below 200% of the FPL. The RFA also prioritizes supermarkets located in Staten Island to bring the program to all five boroughs of NYC and increase access to fruit and vegetable incentives to more communities in NYC. Accomplishments Goals and objectives: The Get the Good Stuff NYC project expands the Get the Good Stuff dollar for dollar match on SNAP purchases of eligible fresh, frozen, canned and dried fruits, vegetables and beans to grocery stores located in NYC neighborhoods hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and increase the number of New Yorkers receiving SNAP who can access the incentives. The specific project objectives build on the goals of our original GusNIP award and include: 1.)Increase the number of independently owned and operated grocery stores participating in the program from 14 to 24 beginning in 2022; 2) Increase the amount of fruit and vegetable incentives redeemed by grocery store customers with SNAP annually from $1.1M anticipated at 14 grocery stores to more than $2M at 24 grocery stores; and 3) Increase the number of individuals with SNAP who participate in the incentive program by 114% from 14,000 anticipated at 14 grocery stores to 30,000 at 24 grocery stores. Activities completed (Obj. 1-3) Hired a full-time program manager to support all aspects of the Get the Good Stuff NYC project including drafting a second RFA, overseeing the program launch at participating supermarkets and developing program promotional materials. Hired a full-time Big Apple Incentives Coordinator to support the expansion of the Get the Good Stuff NYC project including supporting program launch at participating supermarkets, enrolling participants and restocking materials. Executed contracts with two POS vendors and three supermarkets selected to implement Get the Good Stuff NYC with GusCRR funding. Launched Get the Good Stuff at two of seven supermarkets selected to implement Get the Good Stuff NYC with GusCRR funding. Drafted and sent contracts to two additional supermarkets and one additional POS vendor that has not previously participated in Get the Good Stuff. Contracts are awaiting signature. Contracting with new POS vendors may allow for faster implementation of Get the Good Stuff at additional stores selected under the second RFA, as the technology will be available to a wider network of eligible supermarkets once POS vendors launch work under executed contracts. Developed eligibility criteria and drafted a second RFA to identify at least three supermarkets in communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, racism and disinvestment to operate an electronic incentive program benefitting New Yorkers who participate in SNAP. To be eligible to participate in the Get the Good Stuff NYC expansion, supermarkets must be identified as part of a priority neighborhood by the COVID-19 Taskforce for Racial Inclusion and Equity (TRIE) and where 33% or more of residents live at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Line (FPL) based on the American Community Survey 2014-2018; or are documented as serving residents of neighborhoods in Staten Island identified as priority by the COVID-19 Taskforce for Racial Inclusion and Equity. Stores also have to use a point-of-sales (POS) system to process transactions and contract with a POS vendor willing to contract with the Fund for Public Health NYC to develop an electronic incentive system. 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 and summary of results: Obj. 1: Increased the number of independently owned and operated supermarkets participating in Get the Good Stuff from 6 to 13 between August 2022-July 2023 (two stores supported by GusCRR and 11 supported by a GusNIP grant). Obj. 2: Increased the amount of fruit and vegetable incentives redeemed by supermarket customers with SNAP between August 2022-July 2023 from $836,000 at 6 supermarkets to $866,000 at 13 supermarkets. A total of $1,209 in incentives was redeemed by program participants over 152 individual transactions between June-July 2023 at two new supermarkets implementing Get the Good Stuff under GusCRR. Obj. 3: Increased the number of individuals with SNAP who participate in Get the Good Stuff by 18.75% between August 2022-July 2023 from 6,400 at 6 supermarkets to 7,600 at 13 supermarkets. A total of 173 individuals with SNAP participated in Get the Good Stuff at participating supermarkets supported by GusCRR funding. [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 08/01/21 to 07/31/22
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience for our Get the Good Stuff NYC project in year 1 were owners of independent 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) based on the American Community Survey 2014-2018. These stores, along with their point-of-sales vendors, were invited to apply to participate in the Get the Good Stuff program expansion. Thirty-three supermarkets applied and seven stores with total annual SNAP sales of over $54M were selected for the Get the Good Stuff expansion supported with GusCRR funding. The stores are all minority and women-owned businesses and are located in neighborhoods of the South Bronx, Upper Manhattan, North Brooklyn and Eastern Queens. The aforementioned supermarkets were targeted to ensure that the Get the Good Stuff program expansion reaches communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, racism and disinvestment. The program's expansion will address the nutrition security needs of residents of communities with high COVID-19 mortality rates, high prevalence of chronic illness and a large number of individuals experiencing poverty and pre-existing health conditions. By partnering with stores in these neighborhoods, nutrition incentives will reach NYC's hardest-hit communities and help ensure an equity-based approach to COVID-19 response and recovery efforts. Changes/Problems:Changes/Problems 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. 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. The Program Manager will also oversee selection of three additional supermarkets, bringing the total number of supermarkets implementing the Get the Good Stuff expansion with GusCRR funding to ten. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The RFA was disseminated to over 100 supermarket owners and point-of-sale vendors and a network of more than 500 community organizations that serve New Yorkers with low incomes. Organizations were encouraged to share the RFA with their local supermarkets and encourage them to apply to participate in the Get the Good Stuff expansion. We will disseminate information about the value of SNAP incentives distributed through Get the Good Stuff once implementation at stores gets underway. 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. 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: Execute contracts with the 7 supermarkets and 5 POS vendors selected to implement Get the Good Stuff with GusCRR funding. In partnership with selected supermarkets and their POS vendors, program and test new electronic nutrition incentive systems at each store. Train staff at new supermarkets to enroll participants and implement 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. 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. Identify and hire a Get the Good Stuff NYC Program Manager to oversee all program operations. Issue a second RFA to identify three additional supermarkets to implement Get the Good Stuff in neighborhoods that do not have stores currently participating in the program or a store selected for the expansion.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Impact statement Approximately 1.7 million of New York City's (NYC) more than 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.[1] New Yorkers who are Latino/a, Black and Asian were more likely to report they had less income for food than New Yorkers who are white. While cost has long been a barrier to healthy food consumption, inflation has driven food costs even higher in NYC. Food prices have risen over 10% between July 2021 and July 2022, with at-home food prices increasing by nearly 12%[i]. 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 Covid Relief and Response (CRR) grant, Goals and objectives: The Get the Good Stuff NYC project will expand the Get the Good Stuff dollar for dollar match on SNAP purchases of eligible fresh, frozen, canned and dried fruits, vegetables and beans to grocery stores located in NYC neighborhoods hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and increase the number of New Yorkers receiving SNAP who can access the incentives. The specific project objectives build on the goals of our original GusNIP award and include: 1) Increase the number of independently owned and operated grocery stores participating in the program from 14 to 24 beginning in 2022; 2) Increase the amount of fruit and vegetable incentives redeemed by grocery store customers with SNAP annually from $1.1M anticipated at 14 grocery stores to more than $2M at 24 grocery stores; and 3) Increase the number of individuals with SNAP who participate in the incentive program by 114% from 14,000 anticipated at 14 grocery stores to 30,000 at 24 grocery stores. Activities completed Developed eligibility criteria, drafted and issued an 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. To be eligible to participate in the Get the Good Stuff expansion, stores had to be located in neighborhoods identified as priority by the COVID-19 Taskforce for Racial Inclusion and Equity (TRIE) and where 33% or more of residents live at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Line (FPL) based on the American Community Survey 2014-2018. Stores also had to use a point-of-sales (POS) system to process transactions and contract with a POS vendor willing to contract with the Fund for Public Health NYC to develop an electronic incentive system. Disseminated the RFA to over 100 contacts including supermarket owners and point-of-sale vendors. Blasted the RFA out to local nutrition and public health listservs and shared with local elected officials and agency networks comprised of hundreds of community organizations. Convened a panel of staff from the NYC Health Department and Fund for Public Health NYC who reviewed applications from 33 supermarkets. Scored each application based on a variety of geographic factors including the number of SNAP households and percentage of residents consuming zero servings of fruits and vegetables daily in the stores' community district. Also considered poverty level, location in a NYC Bureau of Neighborhood Health neighborhood and previous participation in a nutrition incentive program. Selected 15 new supermarkets, of which 7 will be supported with GusCRR funds, to implement the Get the Good Stuff expansion. The 7 stores are located in neighborhoods where on average an average of 53% of residents live at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Line. Over 190,000 SNAP recipients reside in the community districts where the stores are located and 15% of residents report eating no fruits and vegetables on the prior day. Residents of neighborhoods with selected stores are predominantly Hispanic and Black. The 15 supermarkets are served by 5 different point-of-sales vendors of which 3 will be new partners on the Get the Good Stuff program. Developed a slide deck for supermarkets and their point-of-sales vendors selected to participate in the Get the Good Stuff program expansion. Slide deck contains information about Get the Good Stuff and the expansion timeline, insurance requirements, and reporting and contracting terms, including invoicing and payment processing. Scheduled a training to present the information in the start of grant year 2. Developed a plan to issue a second RFA in early 2023 to identify three additional supermarkets in neighborhoods that do not have stores currently participating in the Get the Good Stuff program or a store selected for the expansion. Hired two full-time staff members to support all aspects of the Get the Good Stuff NYC project including in year 1 drafting and releasing the RFA, scoring store applications, drafting supermarket and point-of-sales vendor contracts and developing program promotional materials. Data collected: Name and locations of supermarkets selected to implement the Get the Good Stuff expansion Summary statistics and summary of results: Identified 7 of 10 new supermarkets to implement the Get the Good Stuff NYC project. No results to report at this time. [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 [i] https://www.bls.gov/regions/new-york-new-jersey/news-release/consumerpriceindex_newyorkarea.htm#ro2xg01ny
Publications
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