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Examining Rural Food-Insecure Families’ Perceptions of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: A Qualitative Study

Author

Listed:
  • Lindsey Haynes-Maslow

    (Department of Agricultural & Human Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27659, USA)

  • Annie Hardison-Moody

    (Department of Agricultural & Human Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27659, USA)

  • Megan Patton-Lopez

    (Division of Health & Exercise Science, Western Oregon University, Monmouth, OR 97361, USA)

  • T. Elaine Prewitt

    (Department of Health Policy and Management, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA)

  • Carmen Byker Shanks

    (Food and Health Lab, Department of Health & Human Development, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59718, USA)

  • Lauri Andress

    (Department of Health Policy, Management, and Leadership, West Virginia University School of Public Health, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA)

  • Isabel Osborne

    (Department of Global Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA)

  • Stephanie Jilcott Pitts

    (Department of Public Health, East Carolina University, 115 Heart Drive, Greenville, NC 27834, USA)

Abstract

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a critical program that helps reduce the risk of food insecurity, yet little is known about how SNAP addresses the needs of rural, food-insecure residents in the United States (U.S.). This study examines how rural, food-insecure residents perceive SNAP. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 153 individuals living in six diverse rural regions of Arkansas, Montana, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas, and West Virginia. SNAP was described as a crucial stop-gap program, keeping families from experiencing persistent food insecurity, making food dollars stretch when the family budget is tight, and helping them purchase healthier foods. For many rural residents interviewed, SNAP was viewed in a largely positive light. In efforts to continue improving SNAP, particularly in light of its relevance during and post-coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, policymakers must be aware of rural families’ perceptions of SNAP. Specific improvements may include increased transparency regarding funding formulas, budgeting and nutrition education for recipients, effective training to improve customer service, connections among social service agencies within a community, and increased availability of automation to streamline application processes.

Suggested Citation

  • Lindsey Haynes-Maslow & Annie Hardison-Moody & Megan Patton-Lopez & T. Elaine Prewitt & Carmen Byker Shanks & Lauri Andress & Isabel Osborne & Stephanie Jilcott Pitts, 2020. "Examining Rural Food-Insecure Families’ Perceptions of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-15, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:17:p:6390-:d:407703
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Gregory, Christian A. & Deb, Partha, 2015. "Does SNAP improve your health?," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 11-19.
    2. Joshua Leftin & Nancy Wemmerus & James Mabli & Thomas Godfrey & Stephen Tordella, 2014. "Dynamics of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Participation from 2008 to 2012," Mathematica Policy Research Reports 1f268418ccd140969e6a96506, Mathematica Policy Research.
    3. Jessica E. Todd, 2015. "Revisiting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program cycle of food intake: Investigating heterogeneity, diet quality, and a large boost in benefit amounts," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 37(3), pages 437-458.
    4. Hartwig De Haen & Günter Hemrich, 2007. "The economics of natural disasters: implications and challenges for food security," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 37(s1), pages 31-45, December.
    5. Gregory, Christian & Ver Ploeg, Michele & Andrews, Margaret & Coleman-Jensen, Alisha, 2013. "Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Participation Leads to Modest Changes in Diet Quality," Economic Research Report 262225, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
    6. Caroline Ratcliffe & Signe-Mary McKernan & Sisi Zhang, 2011. "How Much Does the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Reduce Food Insecurity?," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 93(4), pages 1082-1098.
    7. repec:mpr:mprres:8055 is not listed on IDEAS
    8. Bergmans, Rachel S. & Berger, Lawrence M. & Palta, Mari & Robert, Stephanie A. & Ehrenthal, Deborah B. & Malecki, Kristen, 2018. "Participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and maternal depressive symptoms: Moderation by program perception," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 197(C), pages 1-8.
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