The west town health market (WTHM) addresses the critical food security needs of low-income communities overly burdened by the covid pandemic by increasing the affordability of locally-grown fruits…

The west town health market (WTHM) addresses the critical food security needs of low-income communities overly burdened by the covid pandemic by increasing the affordability of locally-grown fruits and vegetables for snap recipients through the provision of incentives at the point of purchase. The overall goal of our expanded project remains the same as the previous funding period: to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables (F/V) by consumers participating in snap. Responding to the priorities identified in our 2019 community health needs assessment, this project adds 3 objectives to the original successful 4 objectives: (1) expand access to locally sourced, culturally appropriate fresh produce; (2) increase produce to meet range of consumer preferences; (3) offer 3 types of nutrition incentives; (4) improve F/V consumption and nutrition-related skills and behaviors via healthy cooking demonstrations and nutrition sessions; (5) recruit snap beneficiaries from covid high-vulnerability areas; (6) augment access to fresh F/V and incentives by partnering with 4 local grocery stores open year-round in high food insecurity areas; (7) increase access to quality, affordable healthcare by partnering with a federally qualified health center. WTHM will expand nutrition incentives and education programs in 3 communities in the top quartile of chicago's covid-19 vulnerability index. Residents in these neighborhoods are 3 times more likely to have died and endure higher socio-demographic, occupational, and epidemiological risk factors compared with low-vulnerability areas. With this proposal WTHM will provide $336,675 in nutrition incentives to 12,000 snap beneficiaries, connecting them to 12 agricultural producers during the 20 weekly markets held june - october and 4 food retailers from NOV - april for three years. This is a 55% increase in the amount of nutrition incentives compared with the previous funding period. By the end of the 2021-2024 project, we anticipate the following outcomes and impact outcomes:increase the number of snap beneficiaries served by the market from 7,800 to 12,000.attain the number of local/regional (FARM) vendors stated in previous grant of 12.increase the overall incentive voucher redemption rate from 75% to 90%new process outcome: increase use of triple value match with EBT card 20% each year.new process outcome: increase number of retail food stores participating in project from 0 to 4.60% of the 450 snap consumers tracked via surveys will increase their consumption of F/V after participating in the program for 6 months. (previously this goal was 50%.)each year 70% of the 2,000 snap recipients participating in the on-site cooking demonstration will replicate recipe at home. (previously this goal was 35%.)new impact outcome: 50% of snap beneficiaries report improved food security.new impact outcome: 30% of snap recipients receiving RX vouchers report improved health outcomes.