Altarum Institute Policy Roundtable

Cosponsored by the National WIC Association

Can WIC Play a Role in Stemming the Childhood Obesity Epidemic?

2

How Can WIC Work with Other Programs Such as SNAP-Ed and

Overcome Barriers to Collaboration to Help Prevent Obesity?

Susan B. Foerster, MPH, RDNetwork for a Healthy California

California Department of Public Health

3

▲ The experience and opinions that follow are those of the presenter.

▲ There are no financial disclosures to report.▲ Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) is still

called Food Stamps in California.▲ SNAP-Ed used to be known as FSNE, Food

Stamp Nutrition Education.

DISCLAIMERS

4

WIC and SNAP-Ed Have Common Missions and Overlapping Audiences

WIC SNAP-EdIncome <185% FPL With a waiver, <185% FPL, as well

as SNAPPregnant, breastfeeding women, children <5 years

Families, especially school-aged

Achieve Dietary and PA Guidelines

Achieve Dietary and PA Guidelines

Reduce/eliminate food insecurity

Reduce/eliminate food insecurity

Improve nutritional healthy early in life

Improve nutritional healthy throughout life

Prevent or reduce obesity Prevent or reduce obesity

5

A Perfect Complement to Achieve Real Change for Needy Families

WIC SNAP-EdSpecific life-stage orientation May be lifelong Individually focused May be population-based; models vary,

may include “social marketing”Clinic-centered, retail links Many community sites: child care,

worksites, schools, food stores, and farmer’s markets, mass media

States set high standards for retailers

Feds set standards for EBT certification

Leadership from SHA SNAP state agency contracts w/ Extensions, Universities, health departments, and/or non-profits

Nut ed funding well integrated Great variability due to FFP/matching mechanism

Great image! Food Stamps is being re-invented!

6

So Far, What Collaborations Have Been Easiest for WIC and SNAP-Ed in California?

7

We Think “Social Ecological”

8

Brand Architecture Works Too

9

Food Stamps Is a Food Security Platform for Entire Families

10

F-SORK Also Is Used by WIC Clinics to Promote Food Stamps

11

Media-TV, Radio, Outdoor, Websites English and Spanish

12

Regional Networks in Media Markets Provide Campaigns, Collaboration Among Diverse Partners

13

Federally-Certified Community Clinics Already Marry WIC, SNAP-Ed and Food Stamp Outreach

14

Network Retail Campaign Adds Power in the Business Sector -- Tools for Retailers

▲Retailer Fruit and Vegetable Marketing Kit

▲Produce Handling Guide▲Produce Quick Tips

15

Network Retail Program Adds Power with Business – In-Store Nut Ed

▲Food Demonstration Training Kit

▲Store Tour Guide▲Produce Marketing

Association online training

16

Network Retail Program Adds Power with Business – In-Store Merchandising

▲Seasonal Signage▲Newsletters▲Cross Promotional

Wobblers▲Spinning

Kiosk/Recipe Card Holder

17

Network Retail Program Adds Power with Business – Active Promotions In-Store

▲Food Demonstrations

▲Store Tours▲Fruit and Veggie

Fest

18

Network Retail Program Adds Power with Business -- Strong Industry Partnerships

▲ Participation in Produce Industry Networking Events

▲ Placing Ads in Produce Industry Periodicals

▲ Creating Innovative Produce Marketing Opportunities

▲ Partnership with Fruits & Veggies—More Matters ™ and National FV Alliance at CDC

         Fresh Produce& Floral Council

19

▲SNAP--WIC coordinates Network, Food Stamps, UC-FSNEP, CDE, and CDFA state plan for FNS

▲County Nutrition Action Partnerships– WIC and Network help local health departments convene counterpart coalitions of FNS categorical programs

FNS-Required “SNAP” (State Nutrition Action Plan)

20

So, What Impact Has SNAP-Ed Had In California?

21

Impact: Kids Ate More FV as Network Grew, but Children’s Media Made the Difference

22

Sample weighted to the 2000 U.S. Census: N (White)=13,013,000, N (Hispanic)=6,896,000 N (African American)=1,632,000, N (Asian/Other)=3,177,000.

Impact: Adult FV Increased for Network-Targeted Ethnic Groups

2.5

3

3.5

4

4.5

5

5.5

6

6.5

1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007

Year

Serv

ings

Asian/Pacific IslanderLatinoWhiteAfrican American

23

Sample weighted to the 2000 U.S. Census: N(<$15,000)=11,602,000, N($15,000-24,999)=4,130,000, N($25,000-34,999)=3,039,000, N($35,000-49,999)=2,917,000, N(>$50,000)=4,795,000.

2.5

3

3.5

4

4.5

5

5.5

6

6.5

1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007

Year

Serv

ings

$50,000+$15,000-24,000<$15,000Food Stamp Participants$35,000-49,999$25,000-34,999

Impact: Adult FV Increased for Network-Targeted FSP and Income Groups

24

What Are More Opportunities?

▲Worksite wellness (Fit Business Kit)▲Child Care (800 + sites)▲Media for kids as well as parents ▲State and policy change for communities that our

families live in

25

What Happens When the CDC Parameters Are Added as Per ARRA?

Strategies MAPPS Methods

↑ Fruits and Veggies Media

↑ Physical Activity Access

↑ Breastfeeding Promotion

↓ Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Price

↓ Calorie-dense, low-nutrient foods

Social Support

↓ Physical Inactivity, “screen time”

↓ Missing: Food Insecurity!

26

SNAP-Ed Policy Levers Needed so SNAP-Ed and WIC Can Do Even More

▲Obesity: Remove limits on range of PA interventions▲Hunger: Ask SNAP-Ed to help increase participation in

all nutrition assistance entitlement programs ▲Access to healthy food: Leverage WIC and SNAP

business relationships, raise EBT standards, build on multiple Let’s Move! farm and ag initiatives

▲Synergy: Require strong coordination and comprehensive, public health approaches in SNAP-Ed Guidance, such as those from ARRA

27

Thank You!

Susan.Foerster@cdph.ca.gov(916) 449-5385

www.networkforahealthycalifornia.netwww.cachampionsforchange.net