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Objective: To explore Family Nutrition Program assistants’ perception of farmers’ markets and alternative agricultural practices for themselves and their clients. Methods: Cross-section design, survey of Virginia Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (NEP) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education Family Nutrition Program assistants (n = 52) working with limited-resource populations. Results: Twenty-one percent to 55% of FNP assistants valued alternative agricultural practices, and only 5% to 8% of FNP assistants perceived that their clients did so. Benefits to shopping at farmers’ markets included supporting local economies, and food price, quality, and safety. Barriers included lack of transportation, location/convenience, hours, and food prices. Assistants rated the benefits to shopping at farmers’ markets similarly for themselves and their clients, but rated many of the barriers to shopping at farmers’ markets as significantly lower (P < .05) for themselves than for their clients. Conclusions and Implications: Future assistant trainings should address the connection between agriculture and health, and how to overcome barriers to shopping at farmers’ markets for their clients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore factors influencing the adoption of direct education programs and policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) change initiatives focused on physical activity for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program -eligible audiences by Virginia Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) staff. Online survey with Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program and SNAP-Ed peer (paraprofessional) educators (n = 28) and SNAP-Ed agents (master of science level) (n = 9) in Virginia. Descriptive statistics were computed for sociodemographic characteristics and responses to questions on the basis of Likert-type scales. Exploratory factor analyses were run to identify the underlying structures of the different variables. The main factors for peer educators were related to substituting nutrition programs or content for physical activity programs. Other factors included staff qualifications and expectations about leading vs teaching physical activities. For PSEs, the top factors were the capacity to reach many community members, attract new partners and stakeholders, and personal interest in the PSE. The results provide insight into potential barriers and motivators for adopting physical activity education and PSEs within community-based initiatives and can be used to inform program planning and staff training. Additional research is warranted to examine other factors influencing the adoption and implementation of physical activity programs and PSEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identify evidence-based strategies for SNAP-Ed to target SNAP-authorized retailers to improve consumer purchases of healthy foods. Mixed-methods study to explore feasibility of implementing behavioral economic strategies. The Market Basket Assessment Tool (MBAT) was used to measure frequency of low-cost nutritious foods. Virginia SNAP-authorized retailers in low-income census tracts or with high SNAP redemption. Shop Smart, Eat Smart (SSES) is a 2-phase program; first building demand of existing healthy foods within SNAP-authorized retailers that score 15/40 or more on the MBAT, then supporting optional supply changes to increase healthy inventory. In phase 1, retailers choose from a "menu" of strategies based on research findings. Strategies range from signage to food demonstrations. In phase 2, technical assistance will be offered to facilitate inventory changes. The MBAT is used for baseline and follow-up food audits. In addition to measuring inventory changes, adoption rate, and potential reach, each strategy is complemented by a set of evaluation questions gathering retailer perspectives of impacts on consumer purchasing. The logo included the most popular, low-cost items featured in participating stores within the MBAT study; including bananas, canned green beans, eggs, canned tuna, and peanut butter. In-store marketing and consumer engagement materials found to be the most feasible by retailers were created; including shelf-talkers, posters, grocery store tours and scavenger hunts, food demonstration resources, floor arrows, and yard signs. In FY2018, seven stores implemented strategies within Virginia with the potential reach of 95,726 individuals and an average MBAT score of 33.6. This study explored the feasibility of implementing strategies to promote healthier purchases. While SSES has the potential to reach large numbers of consumers and existing partnerships are promising, ongoing data collection is needed to determine impact. SNAP-Ed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]