THE FOOD ACCESS
PROJECT
By: Kathryn Allard, Stephania
Fenelon, Marlyn Frias, Emilie
Rider, & Carla Salvadore
BACKGROUND ON SNAP

“Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program”—Previously known as the
Food Stamp Program
Established to fight hunger and
malnutrition
 Eligibility for SNAP benefits depends on
income


Less than 185% of the federal poverty level
Benefits are used for food to be purchased
and prepared at home
 Currently SNAP benefits cannot be used to
purchase prepared meals

THE FOOD ACCESS PROJECT

Problem: Individuals that cannot store
and prepare their meals at home cannot
make use of their SNAP benefits.
Homeless
 Those without kitchens
 Elderly
 Disabled


Solution: Allow high risk populations to
purchase prepared meals with their
SNAP benefits.
PROJECT MISSION STATEMENT



“To decrease hunger and food insecurity
for homeless individuals and others who
do not have a way to prepare food in
Rhode Island.”
Short term goal: Access food for those
without kitchens and cooking facilities
Long term goal: Improve nutrition and
the health of the homeless population
PROPOSED PILOT PROGRAM

Two strategies to increase food access
to high risk populations:

Strategy 1: Outreach
Understanding health and nutrition problems
 Establish rapport between target population and
nursing students
 Key informant interviews
 Focus group meetings
 Health fairs


Strategy 2: Work with restaurants and
markets to establish contracts for use of
SNAP benefits
THE NURSING STUDENTS
5 URI senior nursing students
 Diverse backgrounds

Caucasian
 Native American
 African American
 Hispanic


Age range


22-26 years old
All female
WITH FUNDING FROM SOUTHERN RI
AHEC…
As a team we participated in focus
groups, analyzed data, conducted a
literature review, and organized health
outreach events.
 Agencies we worked with:






Warm Shelter
Rhode Island Center Assisting those in
Need (RICAN)
Welcome House
McKinney Shelter
Lucy Hearth
FOCUS GROUPS

Common Themes:
Transportation is a problem
 Primary source of food include soup
kitchens and food pantries
 Nutrition is important
 Access to water is a concern
 Salt intake was not a concern
 SNAP benefits do not help homeless people
because there is nowhere to prepare or
store foods
 Being able to get prepared food specifically
at subway with food stamps would benefit
people who are homeless

HEALTH PROMOTION


Blood pressure screenings
Risk assessment quizzes
Hypertension risk
 Skin cancer risk







Summer health tips
Hand hygiene
Blood glucose readings
Body mass index screenings
Dental hygiene
Nutrition education





Healthy eating on a budget
Provided nutritious snacks
SNAP outreach applications
Health related giveaways
Raffle
BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENINGS

Assessment quiz to determine patient’s
risk of developing hypertension
Exercise, diet, alcohol intake, smoking,
weight, age, medications etc.
 Prior history

Screened blood pressure
 Education






Pamphlet
Explanation of their reading
Lifestyle modifications
Referral to primary care provider
Answered questions
HEALTHY SUMMER TIPS

Skin cancer risk assessment
Sunscreen use
 Skin tone and color
 History of sunburns
 Family/prior history of skin cancer

Skin self assessment education
 Warning signs of skin cancer


Asymmetrical, irregular borders, color,
diameter, elevation, family history
Sun safety
 Prevention of vector-borne diseases

HAND HYGIENE

Described the importance of adequate
hand washing
The pathogens commonly found on hands
 When hand washing is necessary
 Adequate hand washing technique
 Alternate washing techniques

Alcohol gel
 Hand sanitizers


Gave out hand sanitizers for
participation
BODY MASS INDEX
MEASUREMENTS
Calculated BMI off of height and weight
using a chart from clinical guidelines
 Advised clients that BMI is a good
measurement for overweight and
obesity but has limitations
 Abnormal BMI

Informed them of normal values
 Obtained patient history
 Strategies to change lifestyle

NUTRITION EDUCATION

Nutrition pamphlet
Food pyramid guidelines
 Health benefits
 Tips to healthy snacking


Healthy eating on a budget


Advising clients on how to purchase
nutritious foods in discount supermarkets
and farmer markets
Gave out fruit for healthy snacks
EMPOWERING THE HOMELESS
POPULATION IN RI

Education, education, education!!!

Helps enhance their quality of life and
autonomy
Established rapport with vulnerable
populations
 Understanding nutritional opinions and
practices of the population
 Important for healthcare professionals
to assess the needs of homeless
“The best way to find yourself, is to lose
yourself in the service of others”
-Ghandi

REFERENCES
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REFERENCES
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