What Works When It Comes to Having Enough: A Qualitative Analysis of SNAP-Participants’ Food Acquisition Strategies

ABSTRACTLow-income families have elevated rates of both food insecurity and chronic diseases. Food purchases and consumption throughout the month may contribute to both outcomes. Four sets of focus groups (n = 21) aimed to better understand budgeting and purchasing strategies of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participants. Content analysis was used to identify themes of food affordability and household purchasing power. Participants with consistent access to food reported budgeting, planning meals, strategically using public benefits, and limiting non-essential purchases. Individuals who used a combination of strategies such as meal planning, budgeting, and utilizing sales and coupons reported being better able to afford food throughout the month than those who did not.