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Farmers’ Market Use among Families in North Carolina
Author(s) -
Racine Elizabeth,
Laditka Sarah B
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.24.1_supplement.lb351
Subject(s) - supplemental nutrition assistance program , consumption (sociology) , ethnic group , environmental health , voucher , medicine , subsidy , gerontology , food insecurity , geography , agriculture , business , food security , political science , law , social science , accounting , archaeology , sociology
Background The number of farmers’ markets (FM) has more than tripled in the last 15 years. Little is known about factors that influence FM use. Objective To examine the relationship between FM use, dietary behavior, participation in supplemental nutrition programs, and demographic characteristics. Design We conducted a cross‐sectional analysis using the 2008 North Carolina Child Health Assessment and Monitoring Program (CHAMPS) data (n= 2,932). We examined the relationship between use of FM 12+ times in the past year by WIC participation, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participation, Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) participation, fruit consumption, vegetable consumption, and race/ethnicity. Results Families with children who eat 3+ servings of vegetables a day were more likely to use FM (p<.0001). FM use among families participating in WIC or SNAP was not significantly different from FM use among those who did not participate. Children in families enrolled in WIC and living in counties that offer the FMNP were more likely to eat 3+ servings of fruit a day compared with those not enrolled in WIC and not in a county participating in FMNP (34.3% vs. 18.2%; p=.007). Conclusions FM use and availability of FM subsidies in the form of FMNP vouchers may positively impact fruit and vegetable consumption among children. This analysis was not funded.