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Retailer Proximity and Nutrition Program Redemptions: Evidence From the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer For Children Program

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  • Jane Furey
  • Jacob Alex Klerman
  • Todd Grindal

Abstract

Although nearly all Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits are redeemed, a moderate share of Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) benefits go unredeemed. Some hypothesize that the redemption rate differences are due to the lower density of WIC‐authorized retailers. For the 2012 Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer for Children sites, this paper finds no consistent evidence of a relationship between redemption rates and retailer proximity. In fact, households often travel past the closest participating retailer to redeem their benefits. These findings are consistent with recent “food deserts” literature, which suggests that correlations between retailer environment and nutritional outcomes are not causal. Rather, it appears that differences in redemption rates may be related to the restrictions on what foods can be redeemed in what form with WIC.

Suggested Citation

  • Jane Furey & Jacob Alex Klerman & Todd Grindal, 2019. "Retailer Proximity and Nutrition Program Redemptions: Evidence From the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer For Children Program," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 41(1), pages 71-95, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:apecpp:v:41:y:2019:i:1:p:71-95
    DOI: 10.1093/aepp/ppy003
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    5. Ann M. Collins & Ronette Briefel & Jacob Alex Klerman & Gretchen Rowe & Anne Wolf & Christopher W. Logan & Anne Gordon & Carrie Wolfson & Ayesha Enver & Cheryl Owens & Charlotte Cabili & Stephen Bell, 2013. "Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children (SEBTC) Demonstration: 2012," Mathematica Policy Research Reports c04c5775097f4783824bf3e41, Mathematica Policy Research.
    6. Grindal, Todd & Wilde, Parke & Schwartz, Gabe & Klerman, Jacob & Bartlett, Susan & Berman, Danielle, 2016. "Does food retail access moderate the impact of fruit and vegetable incentives for SNAP participants? Evidence from western Massachusetts," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 59-69.
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