Exploring the Use of Seattle’s Farmers’ Market Incentive Program (“Fresh Bucks”) by Household Food Security Levels

Abstract

The objective of this study was to explore Seattle's farmers' market incentive program, known as Fresh Bucks, and associated shopping behaviors based on participants' food security status. Researchers surveyed a convenience sample of Fresh Bucks users and classified subjects as high/marginal, low, or very low food security. Investigators analyzed for differences in demographics and farmers' market shopping behaviors by food security levels. Study findings suggest that once present at the farmers' market, Fresh Bucks users across all food security levels experience the market and the Fresh Bucks program in similar ways. These relationships should be explored in a larger and more diverse population.