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WIC Participants' Perceptions of the Cash-Value Benefit Increase during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Halverson, McKenna M; Karpyn, Allison.
  • Halverson MM; Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, Center for Research in Education and Social Policy, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19713, USA.
  • Karpyn A; Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, Center for Research in Education and Social Policy, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19713, USA.
Nutrients ; 14(17)2022 Aug 26.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2006145
ABSTRACT
Recent changes to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Cash-Value Benefit (CVB), which provides participants with money to spend on fruits and vegetables, have the potential to reduce disparities in healthy food access and food insecurity that were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, few studies have examined how the changes to the CVB allotment that occurred during the pandemic influenced WIC participants' perceptions of the benefit or their fruit and vegetable purchasing and consumption. To address this gap, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 51 WIC participants in Wilmington, Delaware. Survey measures included demographic questions, the Hunger Vital Sign food insecurity screener, and open-ended questions regarding perceptions of the CVB increase and its influence on participants' fruit and vegetable purchasing and consumption. Data were analyzed using a hybrid inductive and deductive coding approach. The results demonstrate that higher CVB allotments increased WIC participants' purchasing and consumption of fruits and vegetables, increased the frequency of their shopping occasions, and enhanced their dietary variety. Our findings also suggest that WIC participants highly value the increased CVB. Consequently, maintaining the increased CVB allotment could improve the nutritional outcomes of low-income mothers, infants, and children participating in WIC.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Food Assistance / COVID-19 Type of study: Observational study / Qualitative research Limits: Child / Female / Humans / Infant Language: English Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Nu14173509

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Food Assistance / COVID-19 Type of study: Observational study / Qualitative research Limits: Child / Female / Humans / Infant Language: English Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Nu14173509