ArticleJournal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics2026
SNAP Decisions: Qualitative Research on the Perceived Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Benefit Changes on Food Purchases.
Article in Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
backgroundThroughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants experienced changes in benefits alongside the evolving social and economic environment. Understanding how these factors may have influenced food purchasing decisions can clarify SNAP's role in shaping diet quality.
objectiveTo document SNAP participants' perspectives on how benefit changes during the pandemic influenced their food purchasing behaviors in the context of concurrent socioeconomic factors.
designThis study used a qualitative semistructured interview design. PARTICIPANTS/
settingSNAP participants (n = 47) who identified as regular shoppers of a large northeastern supermarket chain (in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont) and had previously completed a survey about pandemic food purchasing participated in virtual interviews between April and December 2024.
main outcome measuresThemes related to the direct role of SNAP benefit amounts in food purchasing and the modifying role of other evolving social and economic factors were identified and interpreted. STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: Interviews were audiorecorded, transcribed, and coded using MaxQDA. Thematic content analysis was applied to identify themes.
resultsSix themes emerged related to participants' perceptions of SNAP benefit changes during the pandemic: SNAP benefit increases improved food security and expanded food choices; the SNAP benefit decrease worsened food security and limited food choices; pandemic onset decreased fresh food purchases while increasing stockpiling of shelf-stable foods; mid-pandemic, individuals returned to routines, including fresh food purchases and eating out; postpandemic economic pressures constrained food choices; and other individual factors persistently influenced food purchasing.
conclusionsParticipants perceived that SNAP increases expanded food security and choice, but external factors constrained their food choices. Policymakers seeking to improve diet quality should consider increasing SNAP benefits and improving access to affordable healthy options.
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