One of the significant challenges faced by low-income families is the struggle to maintain a healthy diet, largely due to the higher costs associated with fresh fruits and vegetables compared to processed foods. When living on a tight budget, many families find themselves opting for cheaper, less nutritious items just to get by.
Research highlights this issue, revealing that families may incur an additional cost of $550 per year per person to eat healthily, as reported by a 2013 study from Harvard and Brown universities. This financial strain can lead to poor dietary choices, which are linked to chronic health problems and diseases that no one should have to endure, regardless of their economic situation. The study’s authors emphasized that the extra expenses can create real barriers to healthier eating for low-income families, with the long-term financial burdens of diet-related illnesses far outweighing these daily costs.
Fortunately, this pressing issue has garnered attention, leading to the development of several government-supported programs aimed at helping low-income families access healthier food options. One such initiative, highlighted by NPR, is called Más Fresco, which translates to “Fresher” in English. This program incentivizes SNAP (food stamp) recipients by matching their spending on produce dollar for dollar. Participants can receive up to $40 in additional funds, which can only be used for purchasing more fresh fruits and vegetables.
The University of California, San Diego oversees this initiative, funded by a generous $3.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Similar programs have been established in various states, including Illinois, Kentucky, and Georgia, among others. “Food insecurity and chronic disease are unfortunately intertwined,” said David Thompson, a UCSD dietitian and senior director of Más Fresco. “SNAP beneficiaries often find fruits and vegetables too costly.”
The Más Fresco program operates straightforwardly: for every dollar spent on fresh produce, participants earn a matched dollar that can only be spent on more fruits and vegetables. The program has different tiers, allowing participants to receive varying amounts of matched funds, with researchers studying to determine the optimal incentives needed for dietary improvements.
Since launching in February 2017, Más Fresco has enrolled 1,153 participants, most of whom receive an average of $329 monthly in SNAP benefits and belong to families of five or six. Notably, 90% of the participants are from Latinx backgrounds, although the program is open to others as well. As long as individuals shop at designated stores, such as Northgate Gonzalez Markets in Southern California, and meet specific criteria, they are eligible to join.
In addition to the monetary incentives, Más Fresco offers ongoing discounts on fresh produce, along with in-store education programs and healthy cooking classes. Initial feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive. Recently, the program expanded its reach by adding 2,000 additional spots for the coming year. “My family loves trying new vegetables now,” shared Maria Lopez, a participant. “With the extra funds, I can buy them without worrying about the cost.”
The disparity between access to nutritious food and the ability to afford it should not exist. Initiatives like Más Fresco are crucial, and similar programs need to be implemented more broadly to support families in need. For those interested in exploring more about fertility and family planning, check out our other post on home insemination kits.
In summary, the Más Fresco program is a commendable effort to alleviate the financial burden of purchasing fresh produce for low-income families, helping them make healthier dietary choices while simultaneously addressing food insecurity.