Between- and within-Group Differences in Fruit and Vegetable Purchases, Consumption, and BMI among Hispanic Farmers’ Market Shoppers Who Use SNAP

• Main Authors: Ginnie Sawyer-Morris, Sara Grajeda, Tara Tracy, Allison Karpyn
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-09-01
• Series: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Subjects: body mass index; Hispanic; Latino; farmers markets; fruit and vegetable purchasing; fruit and vegetable consumption
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/18/9923
• ISSN: 1661-7827; 1660-4601

(1) Background: Despite considerable efforts to increase farmers’ market access (FM) and improve household fruit and vegetable (FV) purchasing in low-income communities, little is known about the FV purchasing and consumption characteristics of low-income Hispanic farmers’ market shoppers. (2) Methods: A secondary analysis of baseline data from a farmers’ market study conducted between 2015 and 2017 (<i>n</i> = 2825) was performed. Participants who also received supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) completed a 31-item online survey assessing demographics, health characteristics, and FV purchasing and consumption habits. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analyses were used to assess between- and within-group differences amongst Hispanic and non-Hispanic households. Regression analyses were used to examine associations among BMI, FV purchasing and consumption, and household size for Hispanic and non-Hispanic households as well as for Hispanic subgroups. (3) Results: The sample included 515 Hispanic and 2310 non-Hispanic SNAP-using FM shoppers in 13 states. Despite experiencing significantly higher food insecurity (89% vs. 81%, non-Hispanic), Hispanic shoppers consumed similar amounts of FV (3.04 cups/day) and spent less doing so. Significant subgroup differences were identified for FV purchasing. (4) Conclusions: Findings emphasize the importance of food insecurity and household size in FV interventions and underscore the capacity of Hispanic families to maintain FV consumption.