Snapshot: Adams County, Pa.

Goal

Healthy Adams County’s Food Policy Council — established in 2009 by proclamation of Adams County’s Board of Commissioners — strives to ensure that all Adams County residents can access safe, nutritious and affordable food.

 

Solutions

Through the Double Dollars program, the Adams County Farmer’s Market matches up to $15 daily in SNAP benefits, doubling participants’ buying power for healthy foods.

With funding support from the Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) grant program, Healthy Adams County was able to provide a “Veggie Bucks” program for SNAP participants, providing a 50%discount on all fresh fruits and vegetables sold through a partnership with a local grocery store — Kennie’s Market. Veggie Bucks could be applied to the five most expensive produce items at the point of sale. Through this program, the county sought to increase the number of healthy foods purchased by SNAP recipients and help familiarize participants with fresh fruits and vegetables. The program was provided during the winter months of 2017 and 2018.

The Healthy Options Voucher Program was established to increase food security for residents in the food gap — individuals and families who are living on the cusp of SNAP eligibility (within 160 percent—250 percent of poverty level). Through this program, participants receive $45 per month to use in the Adams County Farmer’s Market. During the winter months, participants can use their vouchers at Kennie’s Market. Participants also receive nutrition education as a part of this program. 

Adams County, Pa.

Snapshot
2017 Population: 102,300
2016 Unemployment Rate: 4.0%
2016 SNAP Recipient Households: 2,982 
2016 Poverty Rate: 9.4% | 2016 Childhood Poverty: 14.0%

Data Source: County Explorer 

Successes and Outcomes

70% of Veggie Bucks program participants reported increased fruit and vegetable consumption; over 30% tried new fruits and vegetables

Healthy Adams County reports a 96% redemption rate for Healthy Options vouchers, with 75% of voucher funds spent on fruits and vegetables

Tips for Other Counties

Develop partnerships before you begin. Involve stakeholders in your vision from the beginning to ensure that your goals are shared and there is that investment and shared expertise from the outset. 

When it comes to goal-setting, quality trumps quantity. Set one to two feasible goals.  This tip is especially important for rural counties that may lack capacity.