Progress 09/15/23 to 09/14/24
Outputs
Target Audience:Oregon SNAP Participants During this period, we provided Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB) SNAP incentives to a large cross section of SNAP participants across the state. DUFB Oregon has a variety of participating outlets in all regions of the state, and in urban, suburban, and rural communities. As of July 2024, there were approximately 768,000 SNAP recipients in Oregon. According to FY 2022 (Oct. 2021 through Sept. 2022) data from US Census Bureau, Oregon SNAP participants were 70% Non-Hispanic White, 5.7% Non-Hispanic Black, 7.6% Non-Hispanic Other, and 3.3% Hispanic, with 13.3% unknown. Optional demographic data collected from survey participants in 2023 by Oregon State University indicated DUFB program participants as 72% White, 5% more than one race, 3% Asian American and Pacific Islander, 2% American Indian, 2% Black, 3% other races, and 14% declined to answer or did not know. Of surveyed participants, 13% were Hispanic. Farmers Market Managers During this period, Farmers Market Fund (FMF) reached managers from 94 farmers markets in 27 of Oregon's 36 counties. According to a 2022 census conducted by the Oregon Farmers Markets Association which surveyed all farmers market managers in the state (including those who did not participate in DUFB): 90% self-identified as White while 10% identified as Asian American Pacific Islander, Latine, and/or BIPOC. 84% identified as female, 12% as male, and 4% as queer or nonbinary. The Oregon Farmers Markets Association (OFMA), a sub-awardee, provided bookkeeping, accounting, and financial recordkeeping technical assistance to farmer market managers at 10 markets in various communities in Oregon. These individuals play a crucial role in the success and operation of farmers markets. They are responsible for managing the overall logistics of the market, coordinating vendors, ensuring a positive experience for both SNAP shoppers, and other community members who are looking for better food access options. The 10 communities in which supported markets operate are geographically and demographically different in regard to location, size, population, and cultural makeup. Support provided by OFMA is geared toward addressing the specific needs of these communities, particularly in terms of expanding access to nutritional assistance programs. In addition, OFMA provided staff from 29 different farmers markets with SNAP technical assistance and connection with the MarketLink program for receiving SNAP processing equipment and service. Brick and Mortar Locations During this period, sub-awardees from the Oregon Food Bank (OFB) partnered with 42 brick and mortar sites in 26 of Oregon's 36 counties. In selecting participating brick and mortar locations preference was given to stores that were BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, or People of Color) led, offered culturally specific goods and/or services, and rural retailers serving within food insecure communities (as determined by SNAP household demographic participation rates, USDA food access research atlas, and Map the Meal Gap, Opportunity Zone, datasets to assess regional make-up). Farmers During this period, sub-awardee Pacific Northwest CSA Coalition (PNWCSA) worked with 63 CSA farms in 16 Oregon counties to accept SNAP and DUFB payment for CSAs, including 14 new farms who joined the DUFB program during the reporting period. During this period, PNWCSA was able to provide DUFB incentives to 567 SNAP households in 70 cities throughout Oregon. In addition, Farmers Market Fund worked with eight farmer-owned and operated farm stands participating in the Double Up Food Bucks program, as well as a ninth farm stand operated by a nonprofit and serving youth. DUFB Ambassadors In recruiting Ambassador leaders, recruitment centered on people with lived experience and expertise, current and former SNAP participants as well as those who could not access SNAP, and representation of communities who most disproportionately experience hunger in Oregon: Black, Indigenous and all People of Color, immigrants and refugees, trans and gender-nonconforming individuals, and single mothers and caregivers. Evaluation Participants Evaluation partners Oregon State University and University of Arizona collected 422 participant surveys this period, including 353 participants from 11 farmers markets, 36 participants from 12 CSAs, and 33 participants from five grocery stores. They sampled farmers markets from different regions of the state, different levels of rurality/urbanity, and a variety of market sizes. Changes/Problems:Farmers Markets and Farm Stands The goal to pilot a DUFB digital currency at three farmers markets saw multiple challenges in its implementation and conclusion. One farmers market participated in the pilot and conclusions drawn from the pilot project include the need for the following lacking elements: live tech support for customers; full time and on-site staff from a supporting organization; technology designed and tested specifically for at-market implementation, including streamlined enrollment, market and balance reminders, and a kiosk to check QRC balance; and program specific reference and training materials. We found with this pilot there were increased friction points for using the program versus the traditional model and that stigma was not decreased due to transaction times, challenges with technology, and with the hybrid model implementation. We also found significant and at times insurmountable barriers to SNAP authorization for farmers and other market vendors, harming the experience for both farmers and participants. Based on results, FMF has decided not to continue with the eDUFB pilot and instead to shift capacity to alternative modernization efforts, including a new pilot tokenless incentive model to be implemented at a participating market in 2025. We have had greater success with implementing a modified digital currency system at all nine of our farm stand sites, using a POS-system approach in which farm stands apply an automatic 50% discount on local fruits and vegetables. This model has served as a simple and streamlined method for applying DUFB directly at check out, eliminating the need for physical currency and significantly reducing stigma at the point of purchase. It is, however, dependent on a single vendor POS system typically unavailable at farmers markets. Partnership with Oregon State University SNAP Educators to provide nutrition education programming at farmers markets proved difficult as there was interest in more localized solutions. We have pivoted this approach to support the nutrition education programming already existing at local markets, rather than trying to spread a uniform statewide curriculum. Brick and Mortar Based on an evaluation of current POS technology, OFB determined that their objective #3.2 to configure point of sale systems to pilot a fruits and vegetables for any SNAP eligible food model at 3 grocers in 2024 was not viable. All current POS software providers reported to OFB that the promotion set up for DUFB requires that the earn and spend be the same group of eligible items. The promotion logic would need to be changed and software development required. A novel solution is therefore not possible with current POS partners in 2024 and so OFB will not be able to fulfill this objective. They did, however, learn more about current opportunities and limitations of POS software to inform future program design and pilot initiatives. OFB was not able to have a Community Forum because the DUFB Ambassador time that would have been spent on that shifted to providing feedback for the NAVA led EBT Integration Feasibility study. This feedback was later shared with the Oregon DUFB Coalition. OFB also had some staff turnover in addition to an organizational restructure which decreased their team capacity. However, they were able to redistribute work and make changes to job descriptions in order to meet grant deliverables. Community Supported Agriculture No major changes took place in the CSA program, other than the continuation of the new 50% discount model as described in the previous progress update. Program Evaluation While the evaluation team was able to prevent significant bot activity in the 2024 grocery survey, the response rates were low, and the team still obtained several fraudulent data entries, despite distributing one-time use, personalized links to grocery stores. They also had to delay activities with the DUFB Ambassador interviews and focus groups due to competing priorities and timelines with the OFB workload. This Ambassador evaluation will take place in Period 3. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Farmers Markets and Farm Stands Trainings were conducted by the FMF Program Manager for farmers market managers to better understand the impact of SNAP matching programs, and learn how to best interact with customers and vendors to implement Double Up Food Bucks. Training participants were also provided with record keeping and tracking tools to better organize SNAP and matching transactions, as well as improve bookkeeping methods. One training was held in late 2023 for markets who began their programs in Winter 2024 and four were held in Spring 2024 for markets participating in the main season. Two of the Spring 2023 trainings were market manager trainings for participating in DUFB and the requirements of the program. The other two were mandatory Customer Experience trainings, using a trauma-informed approach to interact with customers using SNAP and DUFB at farmers markets. FMF conducted an information session webinar in early 2024 for farmers markets interested in applying for the Growth Grant, which provides farmers markets with funding for non-incentive expenses related to DUFB program implementation and promotion at their markets. This webinar provided a detailed review of program rules and eligibility, the application process, financial recordkeeping and other documentation requirements, and eligible and ineligible expenses. Regular ongoing technical assistance and mentoring was given to all farmers market staff during the reporting period as their incentive programs began and additional coaching was required. This included market visits and check ins during summer 2024. Farm stands participating in the Double Up Food Bucks program were provided ongoing technical support, assistance with Point of Sale technology, troubleshooting, and training and assistance for program reporting requirements. OFMA provided farmers markets with training, support, and technical assistance in understanding how to apply for SNAP retailer authorization with FNS and the differences between the two free EBT equipment programs available to Oregon markets. OFMA also hosted three Work Sessions open to all Oregon farmers markets that were tailored to resources developed during OFMA's SNAP and DUFB accounting technical support project detailed in this grant's prior progress report, as well as feedback from the 10 participating markets. These Work Sessions focused on accounting and financial recordkeeping in support of SNAP acceptance and DUFB participation at farmers markets. Videos of these sessions along with toolkits are perpetually available in OFMA's free online resource library. Professional development for OFMA staff over the past year has included: peer exchange on providing SNAP/DUFB assistance with other market associations around the country; attending SNAP related webinars hosted by other states and organizations; visiting farmers markets in Oregon and seeing their SNAP & DUFB systems in action. Brick and Mortar The 5 members of the 2024 DUFB Ambassadors engaged in the following training and professional development activities: Double Up Food Bucks Oregon & Ambassador Program Orientation (led by OFB DUFB Organizer) May 2024 SNAP Access Training (led by 211Info) June 2024 Outreach Project Planning Training & Support Sessions (led by OFB Organizer) May-August 2024 Outreach Strategies Training (led by OFB Organizer) August 2024 Free resources, training and support provided through the Oregon Food Bank Community Partner Resource Library Individual Study: Skills in leading and conducting outreach events, public speaking, and networking reported by Ambassador participants Individual Study: Skills in strategic planning, effective execution, and adaptability to achieve DUFB objectives reported by Ambassador participants DUFB staff participated in the following training and professional development opportunities: Equity, Food Banking and White Supremacy Culture (October 2023) Equity Foundations (November 2023) Intercultural Communication Tools Through an Equity Lens (December 2023) Equity Think Tank- Speaker Series: The True Story of Hunger! (March 2024) EBT Convening- Boston, MA (March 2024) Introduction to Intercultural Communication Skills (March 2024) White Frontline Staff for Racial Justice Working Group Learning Sessions (February-June 2024) Food Justice and Food Sovereignty: Learning from Indigenous Knowledge and Leadership (June 2024) Data as Storytelling led by Oregon Food Bank's Network Equity and Racial Justice Team (June 2024) Native Fundamentals Training Series Native American History 101 (June 2024) OFB Media Training (July 2024) Empowering Access: Driving Fresh Produce Sales in SNAP (August 2024) Disability Justice 101 led by UPRISE Collective (August 2024) Community Supported Agriculture PNWCSA staff assisted farmers in learning how to accept SNAP payments for their shares, and how to apply DUFB incentives to their shares. This included developing training materials and handbooks, producing a webinar, and one-on-one mentoring throughout the year. PNWCSA staff were invited throughout the year to participate in webinars, coffee chats, and other forums to advise other nonprofit organizations and farms on CSA share accessibility through SNAP and incentive programs. Program Evaluation Evaluator Stephanie Grutzmacher trained one doctoral student, three master's students, and one undergraduate student on key evaluation tasks such as project coordination, protocol development and testing, observation methods, interviewing and focus group facilitation, transcription and transcript cleaning, survey data collection, database cleaning and variable construction, qualitative and quantitative data analysis, and report completion. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Our program evaluation partners, Oregon State University (OSU) and University of Arizona (UA), created a series of datasets and reports from the evaluation collected prior to and during this period of the project. This included full survey datasets for 2023 and 2024; as well as outlet-specific datasets, outlet-specific reports, and site-specific reports for 2023 and 2024. These datasets and reports were provided to implementing organizations (FMF, OFB, and PNW CSA) who were then able to disseminate these reports to their stakeholder networks, including specific DUFB outlets. The evaluation team also presented at two conferences (Oregon Public Health Association, American Public Health Association) and submitted four additional abstracts to other conferences for dissemination. Outreach flyers and posters were distributed in all main regions of the state. These materials were disseminated to SNAP participants through farmers markets, Department of Human services offices, food banks and pantries, senior centers, community spaces, and other social service organizations. We have strong connections with the Oregon Department of Human Services, the State agency who administers SNAP, and their staff promote DUFB at several levels: both in their statewide outreach materials and through individual one-on-one conversations, when households are applying for or renewing SNAP benefits. Additionally, individual sites participating in DUFB conduct their own outreach, based on their deep familiarity with their communities and the best ways to make connections. FMF provides farmers markets with region-specific outreach materials and DUFB outreach tips, as well as one-on-one technical assistance throughout the season. We've also partnered with a number of independent outreach partners (organizations focused on food security and/or supporting local agriculture) in each region of Oregon to assist with outreach that reaches communities of interest. During this period, In late 2023, FMF's Program Manager completed a report on FMF's eDUFB digital currency pilot project. This report included a summary of the pilot project, its outcomes, and lessons learned. It has been shared with partners and is available to other organizations implementing nutrition incentive programs to inform digital currency developments in other settings. OFB provides grocery stores with customizable outreach materials and an outreach toolkit, as well as on-on-one technical assistance and promotion of DUFB grocery sites through their own statewide network of partners. All DUFB partners share the doubleuoporegon.org website, which serves as a central hub for any SNAP participant interested in the DUFB program. This site explains how the program works at different outlet types, and includes a list of all participating firms. OFB also shares recordings of trainings and presentation slides and resources at DUFB team meetings when available. EBT convening information was shared in the following ways: Field report with state agency and OFB DUFB and Advocacy Teams (May 2024) Meeting with OFB DUFB and Advocacy Teams (July 2024) OFB SNAP CAB Presentation: where we gave an overview of the NAVA- EBT Integration feasibility study. (November 2023) This year OFMA acted as a one stop resource for farmers market operators to come to the organization with any questions about how to implement and run SNAP. They used their website, e-news, social media, virtual events, and one-to-one contacts to build relationships and become known amongst the market community as a source of assistance. PNW CSA's DUFB info cards in English and Spanish were distributed to self-sufficiency offices in Multnomah, Washington, and Lane counties. See "Other Products" section for additional detail on outreach efforts. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Farmers Markets & Farm Stands Continue to increase the number and geographic diversity of farmer markets and farm stands offering the DUFB program by continuing to make connections with new markets and farm stands and offer them the technical assistance and support necessary to accept SNAP and participate in DUFB. Build capacity and expertise among farmers markets participating in DUFB by continuing to organize and host DUFB Community of Practice meetings during the DUFB season, strengthening peer learning opportunities among DUFB practitioners across the state and providing in-depth training on topics including outreach, program implementation, and vendor training. In addition, continue to develop and require all participating markets an annual Customer Experience training rooted in trauma-informed best practices that help create welcoming environments for all SNAP and DUFB participants. Maintain the Growth Grant in 2025 and its expanded 2024 level, providing increased funding support for farmers markets for non-incentive expenses related to DUFB program implementation and SNAP implementation, with a particular focus on support for small, rural, and BIPOC-focused markets. Adapt and expand program outreach activities part of a new Communications Plan informed by focus groups made up of current and potential program participants, as well as partner community organizations. Continue to successfully implement the DUFB program at farmers markets and farm stands, with a goal of distributing at least $1,800,000 in incentives at 110 sites in 28 counties in Period 3. Continue to conduct annual online trainings for all participating farmers markets to successfully implement the program and track results, distribute over 30,000 pieces of outreach materials to community partners, organizations, and social service agencies serving SNAP recipients around participating markets. Continue to improve the DUFB Oregon website, focusing in particular on accessibility upgrades, enhanced audio and video, and closed captioning. Continue to use the DUFB explainer video created in Period 3 to promote the DUFB Oregon program among diverse communities. Brick and Mortar Recruit and onboard DUFB Ambassadors for next year and adjust the program to account for budget limitations and shift focus to more targeted outreach for new participating stores. Continue to support DUFB Ambassador-led culturally specific outreach, identify responsive strategies to address barriers, and participate in program design and implementation that centers lived expertise of communities most impacted by food insecurity. Recruit and prepare to launch five new retailers in July 2025. Conduct outreach to new grocers (including owners of color) and previously identified grocers. Confirm contracts and reporting, install DUFB POS solution, troubleshoot and provide technical support. Facilitate biannual EBT Integration Landscape meetings. Facilitate ongoing check-ins with existing grocery partners to monitor compliance, provide tech support and replenish DUFB outreach materials. Community Supported Agriculture Develop and deploy outreach campaigns for 2025 main season and winter season, both for farmers and for consumers. Promote program at annual Share Fair event and during CSA Week; enable members to sign up at Share Fair. Continue new farm recruitment. Travel to other regions of state to educate farmers and consumers about the program. Work with other service organizations to promote the program (self-sufficiency offices, community centers, etc.). Deploy an advertising campaign during the 2025 sign-up season that educates about how SNAP and DUFB can be used to purchase CSA shares. This campaign will run throughout Oregon. Program Evaluation In the next project year, the following activities will be conducted: Combine and analyze 2021-2024 (required core metrics) survey data Draft and finalize qualitative reports on participant and stakeholder perspectives Submit presentations and publications: Study of participant perceptions of program barriers and facilitators Study of stakeholder perceptions of program barriers and facilitators Study of stigma and food insecurity among DUFB participants Study of perceptions of SNAP emergency allotment termination Study of participant perspectives on FMs as a third space Conduct additional interviews with DUFB grocery community ambassadors; analyze ambassador interview data for outreach and implementation lessons learned
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB) Oregon is a statewide SNAP incentive program coordinated by Farmers Market Fund (FMF). For every dollar of SNAP spent at participating sites, shoppers receive an additional dollar of DUFB to spend on local fruits and vegetables (FV). During this reporting period, we increased the purchase of fresh FV by SNAP shoppers to a total of $3,345,763 in redeemed DUFB incentives at 94 farmers markets, 9 farm stands, 63 CSA farms, and 42 grocery stores across 33 Oregon counties. This is a 22.6% increase from Period 1 and an 81% increase from the baseline period preceding the grant. This increased spending was driven by maintaining a $20 incentive limit for farmers markets and grocery stores, increasing the CSA incentive discount to 50%, an expansion in DUFB sites, increased language support and culturally-relevant outreach, and piloting innovative incentive redemption strategies. Goal 1: Increase the purchase of Oregon-grown fruits and vegetables by low-income shoppers using SNAP at a variety of outlets across Oregon. Obj 1.1: We maintained the increased $20 incentive limit at all farmers markets and grocers. We also rolled out the $20 limit year round at the state's largest farmers market (Portland State University) during this period, transitioning the last market still limiting redemption to $10. Pacific Northwest CSA Coalition (PNWCSA) continued to increase DUFB CSA usage by maintaining the 50% incentive model introduced in Period 1. We launched our farm stand program with a 50% discount model on local FV, providing a simplified customer experience without a daily limit and reducing administrative requirements for operators. Obj 1.2: During this period, a total of $4,835,607 in DUFB incentives were distributed and $3,345,763 redeemed at all DUFB outlets for fresh FV. Obj 1.3: We added a net 31 new sites in this period, including 5 farmers markets, 6 farm stands, 10 CSA farms, and 10 grocery stores. In total, 68 new sites have been added since the start of the grant and there is a DUFB outlet in 33 of Oregon's 36 counties. DUFB Oregon added 5 new sites (3 farmers markets, a farm stand, and a grocery store) in Oregon counties with SNAP participation rates over 20% and added other new sites in communities with few or no nearby DUFB outlets. Oregon Food Bank (OFB) prioritized grocery recruitment in Oregon counties without a participating grocer, conducted recruitment outreach to prospective retailers through 12 site visits, and developed partnerships with 10 new retailers in 5 new Oregon counties. PNWCSA saw DUFB CSA share purchases in 21 new cities. Obj 1.4: OFB recruited Mingala International, a culturally familiar and BIPOC-owned grocer, to implement DUFB at their 2 Oregon locations. Currently 11 out of 42 brick and mortar DUFB partners are culturally specific grocers, accounting for 26% of participating stores. Obj 1.5: In Period 1, 25 farmers markets reported SNAP-Ed nutrition education being provided at their markets during the 2024 market season. Goal 2: Reach more SNAP shoppers and increase DUFB participation through innovative outreach that is geographically, linguistically, and culturally familiar and accessible. Obj 2.1: OFB facilitated a 2023 cohort of 10 DUFB Ambassadors and launched the ongoing 2024 cohort of 5 DUFB Ambassadors. Ambassadors expanded outreach at Oregon State University, in rural communities across the state, and in Indian Country through tribal events, attending 48 outreach events and distributing 2,667 outreach materials. Obj 2.2: FMF conducted social media campaigns that reached nearly 30,000 individuals. Partners distributed 45,567 print materials (posters, flyers, and tri-fold brochures) in 6 languages throughout Oregon. FMF also implemented a text message-based outreach campaign, partnering with 7 farmers markets to send 1,018 text messages in both English and Spanish to 22 contacts. In August 2024, FMF partnered with Oregon Department of Human Services to send a regionally-targeted DUFB mailer to 78,000 SNAP households in Oregon. This mailer highlighted the DUFB Oregon program and directed recipients to the DUFB Oregon website to find local outlets. Obj 2.3: OFB's Strategic Communications team worked with contractor After Bruce to transcreate the DUFB Explainer Video created during Period 1 to nine additional languages (17 total), further expanding outreach and language support for the program. Goal 3: Use efficient incentive redemption technology and test innovative technologies to increase fruit and vegetable purchases and address barriers to program participation. Obj 3.1: In late 2023, FMF's Program Manager completed a report on the eDUFB digital currency pilot project that took place in Period 1 at Come Thru Market. The pilot project used Novo Dia Group's TotilPay Integrated Management System (TIMS) technology and provided a daily $20 match for participants using an "Earn on SNAP, Spend on FV" model. 5 of 7 farmers at Come Thru Market participated, with 3 using incentive-only eDUFB technology and 2 becoming FNS authorized to accept SNAP. We enrolled 23 eDUFB recipients, of which 22 completed at least one eDUFB transaction. 59% of participants used a physical eDUFB card (with unique QRC) instead of the myMarketLink mobile app. 100% of end of season survey respondents that used the physical eDUFB card reported owning a smartphone, but preferring a physical card. 5 farmers completed 30 eDUFB transactions worth $411 (76% of eDUFB issued). This is lower than the overall farmers market program's redemption rate of 94% in 2023. Conclusions drawn from the pilot project include the need for live tech support for customers; full time and on-site staff from a supporting organization; technology designed and tested specifically for at-market implementation; and program specific reference and training materials. We found with this pilot there were friction points for using the program versus the traditional model and that increased transaction times, challenges with technology, and a hybrid model implementation caused significant wait times for customers using SNAP, failing to meet expectations of a smoother experience that would decrease stigma. We also found significant and at times insurmountable barriers to SNAP authorization for farmers and other market vendors, harming the experience for both farmers and participants. Based on results, FMF has decided not to continue with the eDUFB pilot and instead shift capacity to alternative modernization efforts, including a new pilot tokenless incentive model to be implemented at a participating market in 2025. We have had greater success with a modified digital currency system at all 9 of our farm stand sites, using a POS-system approach in which farm stands apply an automatic 50% discount on local FV. This model has served as a simple and streamlined method for applying DUFB directly at check out, eliminating the need for physical currency and reducing stigma at the point of purchase. It is, however, dependent on a single vendor POS system typically unavailable at farmers markets. Obj 3.2: Based on an evaluation of current POS technology, OFB determined that their goal to test a FV for ALL promotion model is not viable due to lack of support from all current POS software providers. Obj 3.3: OFB met with partners to debrief the findings of Nava PBC's EBT integration feasibility study from Period 1. OFB facilitated a meeting with coalition partners and Oregon DHS in January 2024 to discuss Nava pilot deliverables, including the timeline for a pilot and enhancements to Oregon DHS' SNAP delivery process; capacity and resources available; and funding needs and opportunities. OFB facilitated two additional EBT Integration planning meetings. Feedback from Oregon DHS suggested that the state agency is several years from being able to hire additional FTE to lead EBT Integration.
Publications
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Harmon, R. (2024). Participant Barriers to Participating in the Oregon Double Up Food Bucks Program. Masters in Professional Dietetics Capstone paper.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Grutzmacher, S., Munger, A., Speirs, K., Harmon, R., Teigen, Z., Chavez Tista, G., Kasimanickam, M., Caris, J., Watson, M., & Ward, R. (October 2024). Farmers market manager perspectives on the benefits, drawbacks, and factors for successful implementation of a SNAP incentive program. Abstract presented at the American Public Health Association Annual Conference, Minneapolis, MN.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Kasimanickam, M., Teigen, Z., Watson, M., Caris, J., Ward, R., Speirs, K., Munger, A., Quillen, T., & Grutzmacher, S. (October 2024). Participants perceptions of SNAP emergency allotment termination: Implications for the Oregon Double Up Food Bucks program. Poster presented at the Oregon Public Health Association Annual Conference, Corvallis, OR.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Speirs, K., Wilson, H., Bawdine, M., Stewart, R., Grutzmacher, S., & Leih, R. (September 2024). Invasion of the data snatchers: Minimizing bot attacks to maximize online survey integrity. Workshop presented at the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Annual Conference. Tucson, AZ.
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Progress 09/15/22 to 09/14/23
Outputs
Target Audience:Oregon SNAP Participants During this period, we provided Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB) SNAP incentives to a large cross section of SNAP participants across the state. DUFB Oregon has a variety of participating outlets in all regions of the state, and in urban, suburban, and rural communities. According to 2019 data from US Census Bureau, Oregon SNAP participants were 63% Non-Hispanic White, 23% Hispanic, 3% Black, 3% Asian, 6% two or more races, and 2% Native American / Alaskan Native. Optional demographic data collected from survey participants in 2022 by Oregon State University indicated DUFB program participants as 74% White, 7% more than one race, 3% Asian, 2% Black, 1% other races, and 12% declined to answer or did not know. Of surveyed participants, 15% were Hispanic and 85% not Hispanic. Farmers Market Managers During this period, we reached managers from 89 farmers markets in 26 of Oregon's 36 counties. According to a 2022 census conducted by the Oregon Farmers Markets Association which surveyed all farmers market managers in the state (including those who did not participate in DUFB): 90% self-identified as White while 10% identified as Asian American Pacific Islander, Latine, and/or BIPOC. 84% identified as female, 12% as male, and 4% as queer or nonbinary. The Oregon Farmers Markets Association (OFMA), a sub-awardee, provided bookkeeping, accounting, and financial recordkeeping technical assistance to farmer market managers at 10 markets in various communities in Oregon. These individuals play a crucial role in the success and operation of farmers markets. They are responsible for managing the overall logistics of the market, coordinating vendors, ensuring a positive experience for both SNAP shoppers, and other community members who are looking for better food access options. The 10 communities in which supported markets operate are geographically and demographically different in regard to location, size, population, and cultural makeup. Support provided by OFMA is geared toward addressing the specific needs of these communities, particularly in terms of expanding access to nutritional assistance programs. Brick and Mortar Locations During this period, sub-awardees from the Oregon Food Bank partnered with 32 brick and mortar sites in 19 of Oregon's 36 counties. In selecting participating brick and mortar locations preference was given to stores that reside in an Oregon county that currently does not have a participating DUFB outlet, were BIPOC (Black Indigenous People of Color) led, offered culturally specific goods and/or services, and rural retailers serving within food insecure communities (utilized SNAP household demographic participation rates, USDA food access research atlas, and Map the Meal Gap, Opportunity Zone, datasets to assess regional make-up). Farmers During this period, sub-awardee Pacific Northwest CSA Coalition (PNWCSA) worked with 53 CSA farms in 15 Oregon counties, including 21 new farms who joined the DUFB incentive program during the reporting period. During this period, PNWCSA was able to provide DUFB incentives to 552 food-insecure households in 69 cities throughout Oregon, with 75.7% of program participants identifying as White, 10.3% as more than one race, 2% as Black, 2% as Asian, and 1% American Indian or Alaskan Native. DUFB Ambassadors In recruiting Ambassador leaders, recruitment centered on persons with lived experience and expertise, current and former SNAP participants, and representation of communities who most disproportionately experience hunger in Oregon - Black, Indigenous and all People of Color, immigrants and refugees, trans and gender-nonconforming individuals, and single mothers and caregivers.' Evaluation Participants OSU conducted focus groups and interviews with 20 DUFB participants, focusing in particular on the experiences of Latinx and BIPOC individuals, older adults, parents, and college students. These groups were selected due to interest from implementing partners and analysis of previous data showing somewhat unique views and experiences of the program among these populations. Changes/Problems:Farmers Market The goal to pilot a DUFB digital currency at three farmers markets saw multiple challenges in its implementation. FMF's Pilot Coordinator surveyed 60 farmers markets for interest in participation in a pilot program, of which 12 engaged in initial conversation. Four markets expressed interest in participating in a Year 1 pilot program, but only one market received approval from their Board of Directors to move forward, though two of the three continue to hold longer term interest. The Pilot Coordinator moved forward with a pilot focused on the one farmers market. After delays due to readiness--including Novo Dia Group's TotilPay Integrated Management System (TIMS), Pilot Coordinator training and farmers being onboarded (including difficulties with farmers becoming FNS authorized)--we launched eDUFB at Come Thru Market in July of 2023. One of five eDUFB participating farmers were FNS authorized at launch, four utilized incentive only eDUFB technology, and two farmers at the market--due in large part to language barrier and distrust/unfamiliarity of digital payment platforms--were not able to accept eDUFB. After the completion of Year 1 of the pilot, initial conclusions indicate that the eDUFB digital currency is not yet ready to scale to additional farmers markets, particularly due to technological limitations but also due to capacity concerns. FMF and market staff capacity, Novo Dia Group's TIMS and customer service, and farmer readiness are all limiting factors. At this time we need to put efforts into farmer and farmers market feedback and readiness, explore additional innovative digital DUFB solutions and continue to address barriers to program participation--including barriers created in implementing digital DUFB. We have tentative plans to continue this eDUFB pilot at the current participating market during the 2024 market season. We will also continue and expand on a modified digital currency pilot at four farm stands in 2024, using a POS-system approach in which farm stands use an automatic 50% discount model on local fruits and vegetables to create a digital currency that does not involve physical scrip for either SNAP or DUFB. Initial work with this model at three farm stands in 2023 indicate it can serve as a simple and streamlined method for applying DUFB directly at check out, eliminating the need for physical currency and significantly reducing stigma at the point of purchase. Partnership with Oregon State University SNAP Educators to provide nutrition education programming at farmers markets proved difficult as there was interest in more localized solutions. We have pivoted this approach to support the nutrition education programming already existing at local markets, rather than trying to spread a uniform statewide curriculum. Finally, two outreach projects had to be delayed into 2024. We originally intended to partner with Oregon DHS to send out geographically-targeted mailers to SNAP recipients throughout Oregon, with a goal of 155,000 mailers in total distributed over two mailings, one each year during the summer market season. Due to backlogs in the publication department at Oregon DHS-due to ongoing impacts from the Covid-19 pandemic, including supply chain disruptions and labor shortages-we were not able to send out a mailing in 2023 as planned. Oregon DHS's matching commitment for this work remains the same and we intend to implement a larger 2024 mailing that will encompass the entire original two year plan. We also delayed the implementation of our SMS text outreach campaign due to technological challenges and limited capacity. This campaign will be implemented in Period 2 with a focus on the 2024 farmers market season. Brick and Mortar The goal to configure Point of Sale (POS) systems to pilot the fruits and vegetables for any SNAP eligible food model has not progressed to implementation during this grant period, though there is hope that this will see an initial pilot implementation period in 2024. The delay has been caused by determining POS technology capabilities. OFB DUFB grocery staff will continue to research current partner POS providers and will prioritize partners in Period 2 for pilot implementation with built in POS capability for identifying separate eligible item categories for earn and redeem transactions. CSA For the 2023 main growing season, PNW CSA modified the DUFB CSA program to more closely meet the needs of farmers and participants. CSA shares have evolved over the last five years to include shares of all sizes and durations, and it no longer made sense to offer a tiered discount based on "large shares" (with a maximum $250 DUFB discount) vs. "small shares" (with a maximum $125 DUFB discount). As a result, PNW CSA moved to a 50% incentive model, in which CSA shares paid for with SNAP receive a $1 to $1 DUFB match up to the full share price. This new approach makes the reimbursement program much more simple, has increased farmer and participant understanding, has increased accessibility while making the program more equitable across all farmers and participants, and has allowed farmers to adjust their share models to better suit their members' needs. This modification also helped many more people become CSA members. The numbers of farms and of members paying with SNAP grew much more than we anticipated, due in large part to this incentive model change. Program Evaluation OSU has encountered three significant problems with the core metrics survey data collection: The grocery participant survey was overwhelmed by bots/scammers for the second year in a row, resulting in over 8,000 fake entries and a significant time expenditure to provide incentives to real participants and identify and exclude fake data. OSU identified more real survey entries after the data submission date, rendering the NTAE-provided datasets and reports less complete than our own datasets and reports. OSU also had substantial difficulty constructing the fruit and vegetable cup equivalent variables. OSU will work to mitigate the bot problems in Period 2 by working with OFB to plan out in-person survey strategies at targeted stores with good foot traffic, as well as custom survey links that can be directly distributed to participants by store staff and only used one time. In addition, OSU had to delay planned interviews and focus group activities with the DUFB Ambassador group due to competing priorities and timelines with the OFB workload. OSU expects to facilitate these activities during Period 2. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Farmers Markets and Farm Stands Trainings were conducted by the FMF Program Coordinator for farmers market managers to better understand the impact of SNAP matching programs, and learn how to best interact with customers and vendors to implement Double Up Food Bucks. Training participants were also provided with record keeping and tracking tools to better organize SNAP and matching transactions, as well as improve bookkeeping methods. One training was held in late 2022 for markets who began their programs in Winter 2023 and four were held in Spring 2022 for markets participating in the main season. Two of the Spring 2023 trainings were market manager trainings for participating in DUFB and the requirements of the program. The other two were mandatory Customer Experience trainings, using a trauma-informed approach to interact with SNAP and DUFB customers at farmers markets. FMF conducted an information session webinar for farmers markets interested in applying for the DUFB Growth Grant, which provides farmers markets with funding for non-incentive expenses related to DUFB program implementation and promotion at their markets. This webinar provided a detailed review of program rules and eligibility, the application process, financial recordkeeping and other documentation requirements, and eligible and ineligible expenses. We also created a DUFB Growth Grant website for general access by DUFB-participating farmers markets that provided all Growth Grant-related documents, instructions on how to apply for funding, eligibility requirements, funding restrictions, and a series of templates, documents, and tools for grant-related administration and recordkeeping. Regular ongoing technical assistance and mentoring was given to all farmers market staff during the reporting period as their incentive programs began and additional coaching was required. This included market visits during summer 2023. All Farmers Market Fund staff attended in person the NTAE Nutrition Hub's National Convening in June 2023, providing learning opportunities through the convening's various sessions, plenaries, field trips, and networking opportunities. OFMA provided farmers markets with training, support, and technical assistance in understanding how to apply for SNAP retailer authorization with FNS and the differences between the two free EBT equipment programs available to Oregon markets and decide which to enroll in. OFMA's SNAP and DUFB Accounting technical support project detailed above provided staff at 10 farmers markets across Oregon with direct, one-on-one technical assistance for bookkeeping, accounting, and financial recordkeeping. In addition to this assistance, markets also participated in group learning sessions and communities of practice, and were provided with a toolkit consisting of: sample market accounting policies; a master tracking template for markets to track data and accurately account for SNAP and DUFB programs; a budget template that includes space for markets to track their full costs for SNAP, DUFB, and other nutrition assistance programs; scripts and outreach materials to help encourage SNAP users to utilize DUFB at market; and other tools and ongoing support and trainings for market staff to successfully administer SNAP and DUFB programming at their markets. Participating markets were also provided training in QuickBooks Online. Toolkit and template documents were subsequently provided to other Oregon markets, with markets invited to participate in three Work Sessions highlighting these resources. Professional development for OFMA staff over the past year has included: peer exchange on providing SNAP/DUFB assistance with other market associations around the country; attending SNAP related webinars hosted by other states and organizations; visiting farmers markets in Oregon and seeing their SNAP and DUFB systems in action. FMF's Pilot Program Coordinator connected regularly with organizations managing, operating and implementing digital incentive program solutions from states across the county, including Maryland, Indiana, Michigan and Hawaii. FMF met monthly with Maryland as both programs are using Novo Dia Group's TIMS. In addition, the Pilot Program Coordinator provided training and technical assistance to market managers and vendors participating in the eDUFB digital currency pilot project. Brick and Mortar The 10 members of the 2023 DUFB Ambassadors engaged in the following training and professional development activities: Double Up Food Bucks Program Training 101 (Introduction to DUFB Statewide Program) (led by OFB Organizer) January 2023 Virtual Meeting Space Training (led by OFB Organizer) January 2023 SNAP Access Training (led by 211Info) April 2023 Double Up food Bucks Program Training 201 (Farmers Market Season Kick off) May 2023 Food Systems Networking and Skill Building Convergence (May 2023) Nutrition Incentive Hub Webinar -Store Owner Voices: How Nutrition Incentives Help Small Businesses & Communities (July 2023) Food Finder Workshop (led by OFB Organizer) August 2023 Individual Study: Skills in leading and conducting outreach events, public speaking, and networking reported by Ambassador participants Individual Study: Skills in strategic planning, effective execution, and adaptability to achieve DUFB objectives reported by Ambassador participants DUFB staff participated in the following training and professional development opportunities: Time isn't Neutral: Power, Time, and the Workplace Workshop presented by Whiteness at Work (September 2022) Building More Equitable SNAP-Ed Collaborations Among Land-grant Universities and State & Community Partners: Webinar sponsored by the MSU Center for Regional Food Systems in collaboration with the Racial Equity in the Food System Workgroup (October 2022) Opportunities to Connect Eligible Immigrant Families to SNAP: Reflections from USDA and Community Partners Webinar (USDA - October 2022) Reproductive Justice is Food Justice (October 2022) Oregon Food Bank for our biannual "Allies for Equity Summit" Fair Food Network Participant Engagement Learning Cohort: Sessions 1 & 2 (January 2023) Anti-Racist and Decolonial Agriculture Speaker Series - Rogue Valley Food Systems Network (February 2023) Indigenous Leadership Briefing Series - Ecotrust (March 2023) Bystander-Aggression Intervention Training - Oregon Food Bank (May 2023) Gender Expansion & Diversity Inclusion Training led by Bridge 13 (June 2023) Network Equity and Racial Justice Team Pilot: Introduction to Group Dynamics (July 2023) Nutrition Incentive Local Sourcing Cohort (Summer 2023) EBT Integration Community of Practice monthly gathering to share insights in SNAP incentive delivery through state issued FNS EBT SNAP card. CSA Pacific Northwest CSA Coalition staff have participated in training related to the DUFB CSA program (how the tracking database works, how the incentives are disbursed). PNWCSA staff were invited to teach a course on how to improve CSA share accessibility through accepting SNAP, applying DUFB, and using sliding-scale payment models (Small Farms School). PNWCSA staff were invited throughout the year to participate in webinars, coffee chats, and other forums to advise other nonprofit organizations and farms on CSA share accessibility through SNAP and incentive programs. Farmers participating in the DUFB CSA program have received training on how to accept SNAP payments for their shares, how to apply DUFB incentives to their shares, how to recruit members, how to sign up members, and how to track member payments. Program Evaluation Evaluator Grutzmacher trained two doctoral students and four undergraduate students on key evaluation tasks such as project coordination, interviewing and focus group facilitation, transcription and transcript cleaning, survey data collection, database cleaning and variable construction, data analysis, and report completion. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Our program evaluation partner, Oregon State University (OSU), created a series of datasets and reports from the evaluation collected prior to Period 1 of this project. This included full survey datasets; outlet-specific datasets, outlet-specific reports, and site-specific reports. These datasets and reports were provided to implementing organizations (FMF, OFB, and PNW CSA) who were then able to disseminate these reports to their stakeholder networks, including specific DUFB outlets. OSU also coordinated with Highland Economics, a firm contracted with Farmers Market Fund to conduct an economic impact analysis of the DUFB Oregon program. This economic impact analysis is in progress and expected to be published in Period 2 of this grant. Outreach flyers and posters were distributed in all main regions of the state. We conducted a review of these materials with Partners for a Hunger Free Oregon's SNAP Community Advisory Board (SNAP CAB) in early 2023 and made revisions to their design and presentation based on this feedback, including streamlining the explanation of how the program works. These updated materials were disseminated to SNAP participants through farmers markets, Department of Human services offices, food banks and pantries, senior centers, community spaces, and other social service organizations. We have strong connections with the Department of Human Services, the State agency who administers SNAP, and their staff promote DUFB at several levels: both in their statewide outreach materials and through individual one-on-one conversations, when customers are registering for SNAP. The Oregon Health Authority, the State agency who administers the Farm Direct Nutrition Program and Senior Farm DIrect Nutrition Program, also included DUFB in their annual outreach materials to their audience. Additionally, individual sites participating in DUFB conduct their own outreach, based on their deep familiarity with their communities and the best ways to make connections. FMF provides farmers markets with region-specific outreach materials and DUFB outreach tips, as well as one-on-one technical assistance throughout the season. We've also partnered with a number of independent outreach partners (organizations focused on food security and/or supporting local agriculture) in each region of Oregon to assist with outreach that reaches communities of interest. OFB provides grocery stores with customizable outreach materials and an outreach toolkit, as well as on-on-one technical assistance and promotion of DUFB grocery sites through their own statewide network of partners. All DUFB partners share the doubleuoporegon.org website, which serves as a central hub for any SNAP participant interested in the DUFB program. This site explains how the program works at different outlet types, and includes a list of all participating firms. Oregon Food Bank (OFB) contractor Nava Labs created a final report with recommended next steps based on their feasibility study of an EBT Integration program focused on a new program design in which the DUFB program would be delivered through the Oregon state EBT card. This feasibility study report and final recommendations were shared with DUFB Oregon program partners and Oregon DHS. These recommendations were also shared with NTAE's EBT Integration Community of Practice working group and, in July 2023, SNAP interview participants in the feasibility study. OFB provided links to recordings and presentation materials for the October 2022 Closing the Loop feedback event and the May 2023 DUFB Ambassador Program Overview with all DUFB Ambassadors and program partners who participated. OFMA provided all Oregon farmers markets with access to the toolkit created through their SNAP and DUFB Accounting technical support project, the specific contents of which are outlined in the previous section. These tools were shared through three Work Sessions and are freely and permanently available within OFMA's online resource library. The toolkit has been publicized and shared in OFMA's newsletters to farmers market managers as well as through other OFMA outreach channels. Additionally, OFMA's feedback from markets and other DUFB programs across the country has been shared and detailed with the FMF staff. PNW CSA's DUFB outreach materials were presented to the SNAP Client Advisory Board for feedback on relevancy, clarity, and inclusivity. DUFB info cards in English and Spanish were distributed to self-sufficiency offices in Multnomah, Washington, and Lane counties. Staff at self-sufficiency offices in Lane county attended an hour-long training on how to use DUFB to assist people using SNAP in purchasing local fruits and vegetables. See "Other Products" section for additional detail on outreach efforts. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Farmers Markets Continue to increase the number and geographic diversity of farmer markets offering the DUFB program, by working in partnership with OFMA to make connections with new markets and offer them the technical assistance and support necessary to accept SNAP and participate in DUFB. Build capacity and expertise among farmers markets participating in DUFB by continuing to organize and host DUFB Community of Practice meetings during the DUFB season, strengthening peer learning opportunities among DUFB practitioners across the state and providing in-depth training on topics including outreach, program implementation, and vendor training. In addition, continue to develop and require for all participating markets an annual Customer Experience training rooted in trauma-informed best practices that help create welcoming environments for all SNAP and DUFB participants. Expand the DUFB Growth Grant in 2024, providing increased funding support for farmers markets for non-incentive expenses related to DUFB program implementation and SNAP implementation, with a particular focus on support for small, rural, and BIPOC-focused markets. In 2024, we will expand a pilot program to designate a specific amount of Growth Grant funding toward projects that specifically reduce or eliminate participant barriers to accessing the program at farmers markets. Continue to adapt and expand program design and implementation based on feedback provided by SNAP Client Advisory Board, regional community partners, and DUFB Ambassadors, with a focus on removing barriers SNAP shoppers may face to participation in the program. Continue to successfully implement the DUFB program at farmers markets, with a goal of distributing at least $1,700,000 in incentives at 95 sites in 28 counties in Period 2. Implement Year 2 of the DUFB digital currency pilot, expanding the pilot to at least five sites, at least one of which will be a farmers market and the rest farm stands. Expand farm stand pilot to 10 sites in Period 2, with a focus on underserved communities in Oregon, particularly communities with high SNAP participation rate and/or that have limited or no DUFB outlets already available. Continue to conduct annual online trainings for all participating farmers markets to successfully implement the program and track results, distribute over 30,000 pieces of outreach materials to community partners, organizations, and social service agencies serving SNAP recipients around participating markets. Partner with Oregon DHS to implement a geographically-targeted mailing targeted directly at Oregon SNAP participants, providing information on the DUFB Oregon program, direction to the DUFB Oregon website, and promotion of the program at all outlet types across the state, including farmers markets, farm stands, grocery stores, and CSAs. Implement new SMS text messaging outreach campaign, as well as a targeted digital outreach campaign in regions with SNAP participation >12% of total population. Continue to improve the DUFB Oregon website, focusing in particular on accessibility upgrades, enhanced audio and video, and closed captioning. Continue to use the DUFB explainer video created in Period 1 to promote the DUFB Oregon program. OFMA staff will continue to provide SNAP Technical Assistance to markets as needed within the scope of this project. OFMA staff will continue to promote awareness of SNAP and DUFB within communities that the markets served in this project operate. OFMA will continue to expand on the SNAP and DUFB Accounting Technical Assistance project, taking into account feedback from participating markets to better tailor the program to market need. In Period 2, this project will support an additional five smlal markets in rural communities and OFMA and its contractor will continue to develop and refine support materials created through this work. Brick and Mortar Recruit and on board DUFB Ambassador cohort to continue to support culturally specific outreach, identify responsive strategies to address barriers, and participate in program design and implementation. Recruit and launch 3 to 4 retailers each quarter. Conduct outreach to new grocers (including owners of color) and verify previously identified grocers. Confirm contracts and reporting, install DUFB POS solution, troubleshoot and provide technical support. Update training materials, translate as needed, and conduct onsite training. Continue to monitor grocery outlets through site visits and monthly reviews of reporting metrics, respond to low incentive use or compliance concerns. To address extended timelines for a pilot of the fruits and vegetables for any SNAP eligible food model, OFB will continue to monitor DUFB solution functionality with POS providers and determine pilot fit with current DUFB brick and mortar partners. Priority will be given to partners with built in capability for identifying separate eligible item categories for earn and redeem transactions. CSA Develop and deploy outreach campaigns for 2024 main season and winter season, both for farmers and for consumers. Promote program at annual Share Fair event and during CSA Week; enable members to sign up at Share Fair. Continue new farm recruitment. Travel to other regions of state to educate farmers and consumers about the program. Work with other service organizations to promote the program (self-sufficiency offices, community centers, etc.). Program Evaluation During Period 2, the following activities will be conducted: Analyze 2023 (required core metrics) survey data Write and disseminate state, site-type, and site-level reports using 2023 survey data Collect Y2 survey data in the summer of 2024 Submit presentations and publications: Study of participant perceptions of program barriers and facilitators Study of stakeholder perceptions of program barriers and facilitators Study of stigma and food insecurity among DUFB participants Combine and analyze 2021, 2022, and 2023 survey data Conduct interviews or focus groups with DUFB grocery community ambassadors Conduct site observations concurrently with Y2 survey data collection
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB) Oregon is a statewide SNAP incentive program coordinated by Farmers Market Fund (FMF). For every dollar of SNAP spent at participating sites, shoppers receive an additional dollar of DUFB to spend on local fruits and vegetables. In Period 1, we increased the purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables by low-income Oregon shoppers using SNAP to a total of $2,728,165 in redeemed DUFB incentives at 89 farmers markets, 53 CSA farms, and 32 grocery stores across 30 Oregon counties. This was a 47.6% increase from the same period the year prior, with this increased spending driven by our maintaining a higher $20 incentive limit, an expansion in DUFB sites, expanded and culturally-relevant outreach strategies, and the piloting of innovative incentive redemption strategies. Goal 1: Increase the purchase of Oregon-grown fruits and vegetables by low-income shoppers using SNAP at a variety of outlets across Oregon. Obj 1.1: We maintained the increased $20 incentive limit at all grocery stores, farm stands, and all but one farmers market. We increased the Lane County Farmers Market from $10 to $20 during Period 1 and aim to increase the incentive limit at Portland Farmers Market's PSU market to $20 year round in Period 2. Pacific Northwest CSA Coalition (PNWCSA) also increased DUFB CSA usage by moving to a 50% incentive model, in which CSA shares paid for with SNAP receive a $1 to $1 DUFB match up to the full share price rather than capping incentives at a maximum $250 benefit. Obj 1.2: During Period 1, a total of $3,400,027 in DUFB incentives were distributed and $2,728,165 redeemed at DUFB outlets for fresh fruits and vegetables. Obj 1.3: DUFB Oregon added a net of 37 new sites in Period 1, including 14 farmers markets, 2 farm stands, 14 CSA farms, and 7 grocery stores. In total, there is at least one DUFB outlet in 30 of Oregon's 36 counties. FMF added four new sites in Oregon counties with SNAP participation rates of over 20% and added other new sites in communities with few or no nearby DUFB outlets. Oregon Food Bank (OFB) prioritized grocery recruitment in the 14 Oregon counties without a participating grocery partner, conducted recruitment outreach to prospective retailers through 17 individual site visits, and developed partnerships with 12 new retailers in 8 new Oregon counties. PNWCSA saw DUFB CSA share purchases in 34 new cities. Obj 1.4: OFB recruited El Torito Super Market, a culturally specific and BIPOC-owned Hispanic grocery store to implement Double Up Food Bucks at their 7 Oregon locations in 5 different counties. Obj 1.5: In Period 1, 17 farmers markets reported SNAP-Ed nutrition education being provided at their markets during the 2023 market season. Goal 2: Reach more SNAP shoppers and increase DUFB participation through innovative outreach that is geographically, linguistically, and culturally familiar and accessible. Obj 2.1: The 2022 DUFB Ambassador cohort and program partners participated in a Community Forum in October 2022. The goal of the event was to circle back with community members to share what progress had been made to address barriers, and identify what future work could be done to continue to address program access barriers. FMF and OFB staff outlined projects and activities completed in response to the feedback themes shared by Ambassadors during the 2021 Community Forum event. Program partners attended four SNAP CAB meetings to review outreach materials and program design with members to receive their feedback. FMF responded to SNAP user feedback by providing DUFB explainer cards in 10 languages; refining print flyers and posters to make them easier to understand, more readable, and improve usability for neuro-diverse individuals; and providing farmers markets with new signage to better identify DUFB-accepting vendors. Obj 2.2: In Period 1, FMF conducted a paid social media campaign that reached over 40,000 accounts; ran print ads in four regional newspapers and online ads on five regional newspaper websites; and distributed 31,500 print materials (posters, flyers, and tri-fold brochures) in six languages throughout Oregon. Obj 2.3: FMF improved the accessibility of the DUFB Oregon website with a new map plug-in to make it easier for participants to find DUFB outlets, an easier to navigate layout, better mobile access, an updated FAQ section, and a Spanish language version. To better commnicate how DUFB Oregon works to current and potential participants, FMF, OFB, and PNWCSA collaborated on a "Visual Explainer Video," a 78 second long video that provides a general overview of how Double Up works at different outlet types. Key features of the video include a friendly, welcoming tone and characters displaying a diverse range of skin tone/background. The video's voiceover and captioned text has been transcreated into 8 different languages. Goal 3: Use efficient incentive redemption technology and test innovative technologies to increase fruit and vegetable purchases and address barriers to program participation. Obj 3.1: From Fall 2022 through Spring 2023, FMF's Pilot Coordinator surveyed farmers markets to identify ones interested in participating in a pilot DUFB digital currency (eDUFB) program. While 12 markets expressed interest, one market ultimately moved forward into pilot implementation. The eDUFB pilot launched at Come Thru Market in July 2023, two months delayed due to issues with Novo Dia Group's TotilPay Integrated Management System (TIMS) technology and challenges with farmers receiving FNS authorization. One of 5 eDUFB participating farmers were FNS authorized at launch, four utilized incentive only eDUFB technology, and two farmers at the market--due to language barriers and distrust/unfamiliarity of digital payment platforms--were unable to accept eDUFB. We enrolled 9 eDUFB recipients, 6 of whom opted to use a physical card (with unique QR code for eDUFB transactions) and three who chose to use the myMarketLink app. $229 of eDUFB was issued and $140 redeemed through 4 vendors. The pilot period is continuing into Period 2 and further results will be available in our next report. In addition to the farmers market DUFB pilot, we also implemented a modified digital currency pilot at 3 farm stands in Period 1, using a POS-system approach in which farm stands apply an automatic 50% discount model on local fruits and vegetables. This model has served as a simple and streamlined method for applying DUFB directly at check out, eliminating the need for physical currency and significantly reducing stigma at the point of purchase. It is, however, dependent on a single vendor POS system typically unavailable at farmers markets. Obj 3.2: OFB surveyed current brick and mortar DUFB partners to determine current POS capabilities to distinguish between two different sets of eligible products so as to pilot an earn on fresh fruits and vegetables and redeem on all SNAP eligible foods model. They also interviewed current store partners about interest in participating in a pilot of this alternate model to identify potential participants. Work remains ongoing for this pilot. Obj 3.3: OFB contracted with Nava PBC to conduct a feasibility study to determine requirements and costs necessary to deliver SNAP incentives directly on the Oregon Trail EBT card. Nava PBC engaged 38 stakeholders in the planning process, including 11 SNAP participants, 7 DUFB outlet leads, 9 DUFB organization staff and leaders, 4 Oregon DHS SNAP Agency staff and leadership, and 7 staff from other eHIP state pilots and programs (CA, WA, MA, RI, CO). Nava delivered final recommendations in July 2023 to pilot EBT integration within FIS current capabilities at farmers market and grocery brick and mortar sites. Deliverables include a budget scope, implementation structure, and pilot hypothesis to test.
Publications
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