USDA Announces Interim Results of the Massachusetts Healthy Initiatives Pilot (HIP)

FoodSNAP

07/25/13

Below is a press release from USDA Secretary Vilsack's team announcing the result of the MA Healthy Incentives Pilot (HIP) that was conducted by DTA and USDA in Western MA between Nov 2011 and Dec 2012, as well as other USDA pilots and initiatives around the country to support SNAP recipients in being able to afford and encourage purchase of healthy foods. The HIP program provided SNAP recipients an extra $.30 for each $1.00 of purchase of targeted fruits and vegetables. 2/3 of the SNAP households who participated in HIP earned incentives through the program; participants reported increased spending on fruits and vegetables, including larger amounts and of greater variety; 70% reported their increased usage was due to fruits and veggies becoming more affordable under HIP.

These initiatives were also discussed on a nationwide USDA conference call yesterday with Secretary Vilsack where he also defended the Administration's position with respect to proposals seeking to impose food choice restrictions in SNAP. In response to questions from reporters on the call, Secretary Vilsack stated that creating incentives - like HIP, the MN food coupons pilot, increasing SNAP usage at farmers markets and funding for nutrition education, coupled with healthier food options for school children - were more effective in addressing healthy food access among SNAP recipients versus the slippery slope of imposing complex restrictions on what food items recipients can or cannot purchase with SNAP benefits. Vilsack cautioned against oversimplified solutions to complex problems, noting the questionable "healthy" value of more processed products coming out of the food industry such as "reduced sugar shredded wheat" - that have alarmingly high sodium content while marketing suggests it is healthy.

MLRI trivia quiz: Did you know that 12 oz of cranberry juice has significantly more sugar than 12 oz soda? see Harvard University research on sugar content of various liquids.

Click on the first link below for some of the preliminary findings from the HIP pilot released by USDA. The MA HIP pilot is still being evaluated.

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Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces Results of Healthy Incentives Pilot; Discusses Additional USDA Efforts to Encourage Healthier SNAP Purchases

Release No.
150.13

Contact:
USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623

Small Investment Leads to Increased Fruit and Vegetable Consumption among SNAP Recipients

WASHINGTON, July 24, 2013 Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the results of USDA's Healthy Incentives Pilot (HIP) and discussed additional steps USDA and its partners are taking to encourage recipients to purchase healthy foods using SNAP benefits.

Authorized by Congress through the 2008 Farm Bill, HIP tested the impact of incentivizing fruit and vegetable purchases among a small group of SNAP recipients in Hampden, Mass. The pilot determined that an ongoing investment of less than 15 cents per person per day may result in a 25 percent increase in fruit and vegetable consumption among adults. Adults receiving the HIP incentive consumed, on average, an ounce more fruits and vegetables per day than non-participants.

"Although healthy foods aren't necessarily more expensive, many low income people face time and resource challenges when it comes to putting healthy food on the table that can make less healthy options seem more appealing," said Vilsack. "The results of the Healthy Incentives Pilot demonstrate the clear impact that promoting nutritious food choices can have on improving the healthfulness of SNAP purchases."

Vilsack also highlighted ongoing public-private efforts that provide support and incentives to SNAP participants to purchase more healthy foods. He cited a pilot project in Minnesota that offers $5 coupons to SNAP households for the purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables and a pilot project in Michigan to make locally sourced produce available in corner grocery stores in metropolitan Detroit.

"Research to date shows that incentives can work, but we know that no single solution can solve the problems of poor diet and obesity among American children and families," said Vilsack. "That is why we are supporting a broad spectrum of SNAP-focused strategies that empower low-income families to purchase more healthy foods."

Providing science-based nutrition advice and expanding the availability of healthy food to all Americans is a major goal of USDA's nutrition assistance programs and this Administration. The strategies highlighted today complement other initiatives underway at USDA to promote healthy eating by all Americans, including:

USDA recently published an interim final rule that supports our efforts, working with state partners, to implement effective nutrition education and obesity prevention interventions in SNAP.
America's students now have healthier and more nutritious school meals due to improved nutrition standards implemented as a result of the historic Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. USDA recently announced Smart Snacks in Schools, which sets healthy guidelines for all foods and beverages sold in school to ensure that students will be offered only healthier food options during the school day.
USDA recently announced expanded eligibility for $4 million in grants to improve access to fresh produce and healthy foods for SNAP shoppers at America's farmers markets. By increasing the number of farmers markets that are able to accept SNAP benefits, we are encouraging SNAP recipients to use their benefits to purchase and prepare healthy foods for their families.
USDA provides shopping strategies and meal planning advice to help families serve more nutritious meals affordably through its 10-Tips Nutrition Series and the Thrifty Food Plan.
Through USDA's Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food, the Department has worked to increase access to nutritious food through the development of strong local and regional food systems. The number of farmers markets increased by more than 67 percent in the last four years and there are now more than 220 regional food hubs in operation around the country.
USDA's MyPlate symbol and the resources at ChooseMyPlate.gov provide quick, easy reference tools to facilitate healthy eating on a budget for parents, teachers, healthcare professionals and communities. USDA's SuperTracker, a free online planning and tracking tool, helps more than two million Americans improve food choices, maintain a healthy weight, and track physical activity on a daily basis.

USDA's Food and Nutrition Service oversees the administration of 15 nutrition assistance programs, including SNAP, that touch the lives of one in four Americans over the course of a year. These programs work together to form a national safety net against hunger. Visitwww.fns.usda.gov for information about FNS and nutrition assistance programs.

USDA has made a concerted effort to deliver results for the American people, even as USDA implements sequestration the across-the-board budget reductions mandated under terms of the Budget Control Act. USDA has already undertaken historic efforts since 2009 to save more than $828 million in taxpayer funds through targeted, common-sense budget reductions. These reductions have put USDA in a better position to carry out its mission, while implementing sequester budget reductions in a fair manner that causes as little disruption as possible.

Last Modified: Wed, 07/24/2013 - 11:17am