Produce Plus Program. Data Analysis 2014

Transcription

1 Produce Plus Program Data Analysis 2014

2 What is Produce Plus? The Produce Plus Program is run through the DC Department of Health. Through this program, any DC resident who receives SNAP, WIC, CSFP, Medicaid, SSI, or TANF is eligible to receive $10 per family/market/week to spend on fresh fruit and vegetables at DC farmers markets. Recipients are not required to spend their benefits to receive Produce Plus checks. When they arrive at the distribution site (usually a farmers market), they simply need to show their card indicating eligibility (EBT card, WIC book, Medicaid insurance card, etc.) and will receive two five-dollar checks that can be spent on fruits and vegetables at farmers markets throughout the city.

3 Fast Facts from the 2014 Season SNAP/EBT cards were presented most often, followed closely by Medicaid Distribution was highest in Ward 6, followed by Wards 1, 8, and 2 Produce Plus distribution peaked in mid-august with some markets distributing up to $2400 per week Distributed Redeemed % Produce Plus $165,285 $147, % FVRx* $10,150 $9, % From June through September over $165,000 was distributed, with an average redemption rate of 89.5 percent. Distribution of these funds increased over the course of the summer, as word about the program spread and demand grew, eventually peaking in mid-august. Distribution rates dropped off after mid-august, as program funding was expended. *A portion of city funds was also set aside for DC Greens to implement the Fruit and Vegetable Prescription program, which saw an average redemption rate of just over 91 percent. Approximately $10,000 was distributed for this program from June through September.

4 Distribution by Program SSI 1% TANF 0% WIC FM 8% No Program Marked 12% WIC CVC 3% SFM 2% MC* 18% SNAP 28% MA 24% Key: CSFP 4% SNAP: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program MA: Medicaid MC: Medicare* No Program Marked: No program was marked on the data collection register WIC FM: WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program CSFP: Commodity Supplemental Food Program WIC CVC: WIC Cash Value Checks SFM: Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program SSI: Supplemental Security Income TANF: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families This chart represents the Produce Plus checks that were distributed, broken down by which program cards were presented to show eligibility. The large no program marked category is due to distributors being rushed and not having time to mark down a program with long lines of participants waiting. *Although Medicare was not initially an accepted program, this changed during the course of the program due to a desire to include more seniors. While entering the data we found inconsistencies in the marking of Medicaid vs. Medicare, and we have concluded that Medicare is very heavily over-represented during data collection.

5 Produce Plus Distribution by Ward Produce Plus Distribution by Ward (Including FVRx) Produce Plus Distribution by Ward (Not Including FVRx) Other, $7, Ward 8, $26, Ward 7, $23, Ward 6, $40, Other, $7, Ward 1, $33, Ward 8, $26, Ward 2, $24, Ward 3, $ Ward 4, $3, Ward 5, $14, Ward 7, $13, Ward 6, $40, Ward 1, $33, Ward 2, $24, Ward 3, $ Ward 4, Ward 5, $3, $14, These charts indicate Produce Plus distribution in each ward of the city, both including and excluding the funds set aside for the Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program. Distribution was highest in Ward 6, due largely to the rate of distribution at the DC Open Air Market at RFK Stadium. This market has longer hours than other markets and is established amongst the lowincome communities in Wards 6 and 7. The category other includes sites where the exact distribution location was unknown because a single organization distributed at multiple locations and did not distinguish between locations on the register.

6 Produce Plus Distribution and Redemption by Ward $45, $40, $35, % 94.65% $30, $25, % 88.94% PPP distributed $20, PPP redeemed 80.53% $15, % $10, % 93.62% $5, % $0.00 Ward 1 Ward 2 Ward 3 Ward 4 Ward 5 Ward 6 Ward 7 Ward 8 Other This chart indicates the dollar amounts that were distributed (given to recipients) and redeemed (spent at farmers markets on fruits and vegetables) by ward, with redemption percentages indicated. These numbers only indicate if checks were spent, not where they were spent. (NB: These numbers do not include FVRx.)

7 Produce Plus Redemption by Ward Produce Plus Redemption Percentages by Ward % 90.00% Ward 4, 93.62% Ward 1, 94.65% Ward 2, 88.94% Ward 7, 88.82% Ward 8, 87.69% Other, 83.26% Ward 5, 80.53% Ward 3, 78.13% 80.00% Ward 6, 91.85% 70.00% 60.00% 50.00% 40.00% 30.00% 20.00% 10.00% 0.00% Ward 1 Ward 2 Ward 3 Ward 4 Ward 5 Ward 6 Ward 7 Ward 8 Other This chart indicates redemption rates, broken down by ward of the city. The average redemption rate for the entire city was approximately 89.5 percent. (NB: These numbers also include FVRx.)

8 Onsite vs. Off-site Distribution - Inverted teardrop: On-site distribution Square: Off-site distribution - Dark green: Redemption > 92% Light green: Redemption 85 and 92% Red: Redemption < 85% This map indicates the different types of locations where checks were distributed, including farmers markets and service sites (e.g., WIC clinics, senior centers). It is important to note here that almost all of the sites that are red are not farmers markets (indicating that checks distributed at these locations had below-average redemption rates). This demonstrates the value in distributing checks directly at market, where recipients are able to immediately spend them on fresh produce. Since the checks can only be spent at farmers markets, these data suggest that distribution sites should be primarily located at markets.