Impact of SNAP and WIC Program Participation on Consumption of Fruits and Vegetables

Using data files made available to the public by USDA’s Economic Research Service, we determine factors that influence participation in SNAP and WIC programs and the impact of program participation on consumption of fruits and vegetables. Food security situation of households was determined using responses to nine survey questions on conditions and behaviors adopted by households to cope with food shortage problems at any time during the study period (last 12 months from interview date). Results from logit and Poisson regressions indicate that male-headed households are less likely to participate in SNAP than female-headed households. Both age and household size increase the probability of participating in SNAP. On the other hand, total household income decrease the likelihood of participation