Nutrition Grant Program Gets Fruits and Vegetables into the Baskets of Those in Need

New research indicates that the Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) grant program increased average monthly fruit and vegetable expenditures for households participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

The research is discussed in the May 2021 issue of the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior: Impact of Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentives on Household Fruit and Vegetable Expenditures. Co-authors include Westat’s Tracy Vericker, Ph.D., Sujata Dixit-Joshi, Ph.D., Jeffrey Taylor, Ph.D., Laurie May, Ph.D., Kevin Baier, Ph.D., and the Food and Nutrition Service’s Eric S. Williams, Ph.D.

“This research highlights the important role that SNAP can play in improving low-income households’ ability to purchase fruits and vegetables,” notes Dr. Vericker.

The article was also among the most read articles in the journal that quarter, receiving 340+ requests for the full-text article. The interest demonstrates demand for research aimed at increasing access to fruits and vegetables among vulnerable populations.