Finding Food Security without Federal Food Assistance: A Look at Households above Poverty Thresholds for SNAP in a High Cost-of-living Region

Purpose. Federal programs in the United States such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) address food insecurity by providing financial assistance to households with income at or below 130% of the federal poverty level (FPL). These income requirements are the same across the US, despite regional variations in cost-of-living. While food insecurity often tracks with poverty, households in high cost-of-living regions may report income above 130% FPL, making them ineligible for SNAP; yet they may still experience food insecurity. One particular mountain resort-rural region in Colorado experiences food insecurity challenges including high cost-of-living due, in part, to ski tourism, long travel distances to food sources, and limited transportation routes.
This project will explore how households above and at/below 130% FPL in this region cope with food insecurity. Specifically, we aim to evaluate how they utilize community food assistance resources (i.e., food pantries) and whether they make different economic tradeoffs (i.e., forgoing medical expenses for food). We hope to understand how households navigate food access in this region and their lived experience of food insecurity.
Methods. First, we will survey food insecure residents (n=1080) above and below 130% FPL within this region. We will assess food insecurity, use of community food assistance resources, and economic tradeoffs. We will analyze these findings using ordinal logistic regression to determine differences in food resources use and economic coping strategies by income group. We will then use a participatory action research method, photovoice, to encourage residents (n=30) to photograph and share their lived experience with food insecurity, and create action steps to improve regional food security.
Results. These findings will add to our understanding of food insecurity coping strategies and experiences, particularly among households that cannot access federal food assistance due to income. This research also hopes to encourage and empower residents to take part in community change and knowledge production.
Conclusions. The findings from this study will inform 5-year strategic plan to end food insecurity within this region. This research may also serve as a model to other high cost-of-living regions impacted by food insecurity across the United States and other countries.