Drake University – The Harkin Institute

Award / $37,903

Priority / Health Innovation

Location / Des Moines, IA Statewide Area of Focus

Grant Summary:

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the largest federal nutrition assistance program that supports low-income families in a time of food insecurity. Although the program is effective at reducing hunger, it does little to encourage healthy eating habits. The Harkin Institute at Drake University, in collaboration with the Center for Science in the Public Interest, plans to explore how to leverage SNAP dollars to incentivize healthy eating, support overall health, and reduce health care costs. The project will bring together Iowa public health, anti-hunger, nutrition, government, farmers groups, and others to develop a collaborative path to encourage healthy eating by SNAP recipients in Iowa.