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
September 2022
Implementing SNAP During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Perspectives from the National Network of State SNAP Administrators
SNAP was a critical component of the COVID-19 pandemic response. The beginning of the pandemic saw the largest increase in applications in the program’s history, and the pandemic fundamentally altered how SNAP agencies deliver benefits, interact with participants, and provide supportive services. The goal of this research was to examine SNAP implementation during the first MoreSeptember 2022
State Implementation of SNAP Waivers and Flexibilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Perspectives From State Agency Leaders
This study aimed to describe state agencies’ implementation of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, barriers and facilitators to SNAP implementation, and recommendations to improve SNAP implementation. This study was qualitative, using 7 semistructured, virtual focus groups in April 2021 with state-level SNAP administrators and supportive services MoreSeptember 2022