The USDA Online Purchasing Pilot, which allows SNAP participants to shop and pay for groceries online, rapidly expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic. From March 2020 to March 2021, the number of participating states increased from 5 to 47. This brief assesses whether the Pilot promotes healthy food access (using the criteria of availability and utilization) and nutrition security, including household food security and healthy dietary behaviors. The findings show that the Pilot is not currently meeting these aims equitably. Availability of stores participating in the Pilot is still lacking, particularly in rural food desert areas and in communities reliant on small, independent grocers. Despite increased retailer participation in the Pilot, and growing acceptability and utilization of online food purchasing, there are many personal, structural, and financial barriers that make further adoption challenging. The brief offers recommendations to promote a more equitable expansion of the program. Policies that: (1) provide technical and financial assistance so that local retailers and producers can participate in the Pilot; (2) support utilization among SNAP participants through structural changes; and (3) strengthen and enforce requirements for authorized retailers can overcome current limitations and help ensure healthy food access for all SNAP participants.
Published: July 2021
Publisher: Healthy Eating Research
Authors: Moran A, Headrick G, Khandpur N
Keywords: Digital marketing, Rural, Supermarket, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Urban
Focus Areas: Food Access, Nutrition Policy & Programs
State: National
Resource Type: Research Brief
Related Research
November 2023
Supporting the Wake Forest School of Medicine in implementing a WIC referral program within electronic health records to optimize WIC participation
The United States has an ongoing maternal and infant health crisis, characterized by stark disparities. The WIC program could equitably improve health outcomes, but it is underutilized. Identifying strategies for healthcare systems to efficiently connect pregnant patients with WIC is a public health and policy priority. This study will use the electronic health record (EHR) MoreNovember 2023
Assessing participation in and implementation of summer electronic-benefits-transfer and non-congregate-meal programs in rural areas
Summer EBT and non-congregate meals are summer meal options that have known associations with reducing food hardship and barriers to food access. But take-up can vary across states, which creates disparities among marginalized populations. The study aims to analyze the coverage, take-up, and implementation decisions made around Summer EBT and non-congregate meals. The research team MoreNovember 2023