What are the most effective ways to promote healthy eating through food stamp programs?

1 Price subsidies

One way to promote healthy eating is to lower the price of nutritious foods relative to less healthy ones. This can be done by offering discounts, coupons, or cash-back rewards for buying fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, or other healthy items. For example, some SNAP retailers have partnered with non-profit organizations or health insurers to provide such incentives to SNAP customers. Price subsidies can increase the demand for healthy foods and reduce the consumption of unhealthy ones, as well as improve health outcomes and reduce health care costs.

3 Behavioral nudges

A third way to promote healthy eating is to use behavioral nudges to influence SNAP participants' decisions. These are subtle cues or changes in the environment that can affect people's behavior without limiting their options or imposing penalties. For example, some SNAP retailers have experimented with placing healthier foods in more visible or convenient locations, using attractive labels or signs, or offering free samples or recipes. Behavioral nudges can leverage people's cognitive biases, preferences, or emotions to steer them towards healthier food choices.

4 Peer support

A fourth way to promote healthy eating is to foster peer support among SNAP participants. This can be done by creating or facilitating social networks, groups, or communities that share information, advice, feedback, or encouragement on healthy eating. For example, some SNAP agencies have used social media, text messages, or phone calls to connect SNAP participants with each other or with nutrition experts. Peer support can enhance people's motivation, accountability, and social norms to eat healthier.

5 Policy changes

A fifth way to promote healthy eating is to change the policies or rules that govern SNAP. This can be done by modifying the eligibility criteria, benefit levels, frequency, or duration of SNAP payments, or by imposing restrictions or requirements on the types or amounts of foods that can be purchased with SNAP benefits. For example, some states have proposed or implemented bans on buying soda, candy, or other junk foods with SNAP benefits, or have offered bonuses for buying healthy foods. Policy changes can alter the incentives, constraints, or trade-offs that SNAP participants face when making food choices.