Blog Assignment:
Evaluate the pros and cons of the SNAP and Double Bucks initiatives at Farmer’s Markets (particularly in the context of South Carolina). What are the system’s advantages, and what are its current weaknesses?
There's a big advantage to using SNAP and Double Bucks South Carolina, and that is that it encourages community members to eat more healthy, which in turn contributes to making a healthier society. It helps allow fruit and vegetables to compete with less healthy foods, as unhealthy food are typically much cheaper than fresh fruits and vegetables. It also increases profits for the local farmers themselves. For instance, when a double bucks deal was implemented at a farmer's market in Orangeburg, SC, consumers spent more money on fruits and vegetables, and profits were higher for small farmers in the area. In the long-run , money spent on SNAP and Double Bucks by the state can be offset by reduced spending on obesity. According to the Double Bucks Initiatives SC article, over a billion dollars is spent each year by the state on costs incurred due to our population's obesity. It has been proven that fruit and vegetable consumption helps with weight management and that currently, half of adult South Carolinians typically eat less than one serving of these a day. We can therefore infer that by increasing the consumption of fruits and vegetables , we can decrease obesity. Right now, the biggest issues the programs face are ensuring that farmers are able to accept SNAP as forms of payment and increasing awareness that SNAP and Double Bucks are accepted at farmers markets.
Were there any ideations that you found surprising about food security?
I was most surprised by the article linking the loss of arable land due to development to the increased usage of emergency food programs in the US. However, this assertion did not seem to be immediately be backed up by any kind of data. The article merely suggested that one must consider all potential variables in a situation.
Hey Jen, these are really valuable insights. I definitely agree that making people more aware of SNAPS and Double Bucks is a hugely important hurdle to overcome to make these programs successful. And you really hit the nail on the head by looking at the big picture of how this program relates to healthcare spending and wellbeing. Finally, I think it's great that you took a close look at the assertions made in the article you mentioned-- it's important to question everything and to look at the specific ways people arrive at certain conclusions.
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