1. Lessons in Effective Partnerships: California State Nutrition Action Committee (SNAC) ASNNA Conference February 6, 2019

2. Celeste

3. California SNAC Ana Bolaños MSW Chief, Nutrition Education Session California Department of Social Services

4. California SNAP-Ed: At A Glance
Vision
Mission
Values
Goals

5. SNAP-Ed Financials TA
FNS
CDSS’ ROLE
Oversees FNS deliverables including State Plan, Annual Report, Management Evaluations and EARS
Supervises all SNAP-Ed financials, including grant distribution
Provides technical assistance (TA) to SIAs and LIAs

6. CDSS Provides SNAP-Ed Leadership
Statewide Evaluation
SNAC
Branding
Innovation

7. Background: State Support at a Glance
In California:
$35,714,179,500 Total USDA Food Assistance Program dollars
9,009,602 Number of people that access food assistance and nutrition education programs
36,689 Number of sites where food assistance and nutrition education are delivered

8. State Nutrition Action Committee (SNAC)

9. California SNAC
Vision: Helping Californians reach their fullest potential across the lifespan through improved nutrition and quality of life. Purpose: The California State Nutrition Action Committee (SNAC) is a partnership of USDA-funded organizations and like-minded partners working collectively to improve the health of Californians, especially low-income populations.
Goal: Implement collective approaches that positively impact our target audience based on pooled resources, knowledge and activities.

11. SNAC Farmers Market Initiative Amy DeLisio MPH, RD Director Center for Wellness and Nutrition Public Health Institute

12. Farmer’s Market Initiative
Promote Farmers Markets as a great place to shop
Support the Health of CalFresh Shoppers
- Increase consumption of fruits and vegetables
Support Local Farmers and Economy
Increase Buying Power
- Maximize CalFresh & Market Match
- WIC and Senior FMNP
- WIC Checks
Social Connectivity

13. SNAC Farmers’ Market Pilot Formative Research
Site Selection Criteria
Over 50% of residents live at or below 185% of the federal poverty limit
Density of services and programs from SNAC partners
Accept EBT and participate in Market Match
Accept WIC and Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program Coupons
Geo-Mapping

14. SNAC FARMERS MARKET COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING PLAN
Testing of message and approaches
Phone outreach to partners and markets
Starter pack development
Outreach approach and timeline

15. Message Testing Farmers Market Coordinators
Successful County-level Efforts
WIC Listening Sessions

16. Starter Pack Brochures Postcards Flyers Posters Guide
Marketing Materials
Starter Pack
Brochures
Postcards
Flyers
Posters
Guide

17. Farmers Market Activities Resources
Campaign guide to explain initiative and resources
Marketing and outreach materials
Tote bags and recipe cards
Market activities

18. Partner Participation Opportunities

19. Potential Farmers Market Activities
Distribute nutrition education resources and recipe cards
Conduct a taste testing of market produce
Conduct a market tour
Conduct a recipe food demonstration
Host activities for children

20. Documenting Farmers Market Activities
Electronic survey to SNAC members
Follow up to secure local partner commitments

21. SNAC 2018 Key Milestones Dates Milestone October – December 2017
Decided on initiative that focused on CA grown produce, farmers and promoted the Market Match program
January – March 2018
4 pilot counties were selected, based on an interactive GIS map, for the SNAC Farmers Market Initiative
BMC presented a draft communications plan and formulated marketing materials
April 2018
Draft campaign materials were created and shared
SNAC members reviewed the evaluation plan
May 2018
SNAC members hosted a live webinar for statewide partners to announce the Get More at the Farmers’ Market Initiative
identified a lead agency for each county
Marketing materials were shipped
June 2018
The local SNAC initiative was launched for eight weeks in four pilot counties

22. SNAC Farmers Market Initiative Evaluation Suzanne Ryan-Ibarra PhD, MPH Senior Researcher Center for Wellness and Nutrition Public Health Institute

23. SNAC Member Survey: Initiative Results

24. Farmers Market Initiative SNAC Member
The Farmers Market Initiative was successful and provided a good opportunity for SNAC members to work together on a common goal (90%)
Initiative was a good match for their organization and they played a contributing role in the initiative’s execution (80%)

25. Key Initiative Successes Reported by SNAC Members
Widespread distribution of materials
Other counties and farmers markets not specifically part of the pilot are getting involved or asking about the program
Local health department and city government involvement in promotion of farmers markets

26. Regional Evaluation Results

27. Key Findings Outcome Measure Result
Table 2 Key Indicators from the SNAP-Ed Evaluation Framework Interpretive Guide
Outcome Measure
Result
Number of Market Match supports and promotions at markets
MT5d: Environmental changes
MT5e: Promotional presence
MT5f: Reach of promotions
4,357 promotional materials distributed
Promotional Material
Total Number of Distributed Materials in All Farmers’ Market Events (n = 150 events)
Brochures
1,454
Posters 73
Flyers
2,145
Postcards 25
Tote Bags
275
Taste tests
370
Social Media Posts 15

28. Table 2 Key Indicators from the SNAP-Ed Evaluation Framework Interpretive Guide
Outcome Measure
Results
Market Match Participation
MT8e: Estimated number of low-income Californians who benefit
MT8a1: Number of farmers markets that accept SNAP benefits
MT8b: Number of farmers markets that offer Market Match
MT8e: 23,187 individuals with household incomes at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty
MT8b: All intervention markets offered Market Match
Early-stage partnerships
ST7a: Number of market partnerships
ST7b: Depth of relationship
ST7a and ST7b: 11 markets as cooperators

29. Local Partners – Farmers’ Market Initiative
Successes:
Perceived increase in EBT usage/awareness
Formation of new partnerships
Positive feedback received from consumers
Improvements in marketing and promotion
“We had several people who did not know about Market Match and EBT usage at the FM actually use their EBT and Market Match to make purchases for the first time.”
Challenges:
The need for improved communication from state partners
The short timeframe and the timing of the Pilot Project
Differences in availability of Market Match at local farmers markets
The need for more education regarding EBT and other benefit programs

30. Farmers’ Market Managers Key Findings
Promotional materials were distributed at all markets, but not all market managers received materials directly.
At the market, promotional materials should be distributed near where the fresh fruits and vegetables are sold.
Managers noticed an increase in EBT redemption at the market and attributed it to the program.
The Campaign helped customers improve their understanding about the benefits that could be used at the market.
The program fostered partnerships between markets and local agencies, including local health departments, local social service agencies, and local agencies on aging.
“I have noticed redemption of benefits and farmers’ revenue increase this summer, compared to last summer. Farmers noticed an increase in revenue – I can guarantee it. I know what their sales are – I see their paperwork – I see their EBT and Market Match, I saw it increase compared to last summer.”

31. Limitations Recommendations
We are not able to report on redemption of benefits during FFY 18 because all data is not yet available
Redemption data for WIC FMNP are only available by farmer, and not by county
Redemption of benefits may be impacted by several factors besides the Campaign
Recommendations
Continue the campaign next year
Run the Campaign for the entire Season
Expand the campaign to new counties for more reach
Improved communication and training for local agencies occurring earlier in the year
Pilot additional on-site support for low income shoppers through a Food Navigator type of program
Limitations:
to report by county, assumptions must be made about what markets the farmers sell at, which may not be accurate.
Wildfires: customers did not attend markets due to hazardous air quality and smoky conditions
Fear: due to immigration status
SFMNP: Farmers are redeeming coupons less frequently overall, because of an increase in bank fees

32. SNAC 2019: Next Steps Ana Bolaños

33. Target Markets Continue to operate in four counties selected in 2018
Tulare
Riverside
San Bernardino
Fresno
Expand into the northern Central Valley, specifically in Stanislaus and San Joaquin Counties

34. SNAC 2019
FMI GOAL:
Increase redemption rates of Market Match, WIC and Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program vouchers to support low-income shoppers maximize their purchasing power on fresh California grown produce.

35. Questions
Celeste

36. Thank you!