EatUp
Purpose
Presentation prepared on behalf of the EatUp research team:
Summary
•Information Gathering
•Outreach
•Research Design
•Recommendations
Methods
Information gathering has been our primary source of data collection. During this phase, community partners
and stakeholders were asked for data on SNAP usage, eligibility, outreach strategies and outreach needs catered
toward low income students and seniors, particularly in the EcoDistrict. We also sought referrals for healthy
retail assessment criteria, conducted retail assessments and designed a survey instrument to be used by us or
our partners in the future. Additionally, we created maps to profile SNAP food options in the University District.
Currently we are using the data compiled from conversations with partners and stakeholders to craft outreach
strategies at a neighborhood district level. At project conclusion, we will provide a full project report to our
community partners.
Project Advisor, Research and Policy Advisor: Dr. Jennifer H. Allen, Associate Professor in Public Administration •Multnomah County Healthy Aging Coalition
•Multnomah County Public Health Department, Community Putting
Prevention to Work Initiative
Presented by Renée Bogin Curtis & Kyle Curtis
Project Advisor and Administrator: Dr. Shanna N. Eller, Director of Community Environmental Services at PSU
Community Environmental Services
Urban Gerontologist: Alan Delatorre, Faculty Research Assistant in the Institute on Aging at PSU
SNAP is a needs-based federal assistance program, with eligibility
determined by income level and expenses. SNAP eligibility for
seniors and students within the University EcoDistrict was chosen
for this project as members of both populations are vulnerable
to food insecurity and are either on SNAP or could benefit from
increased access to SNAP and other assistance to ensure healthy
and nutritious diets.
At PSU, 60% of students receive Financial Aid.2 While
many students qualify as low income, the State of Oregon has
administrative rules that prohibit SNAP eligibility for some higher
education students.3 No statistics are immediately available,
yet EatUp’s community partners validated concerns that many
eligible students are not on SNAP.
Ecodistrict boundaries
Downtown
Q
For college students enrolled at least half
time might be eligible for SNAP if one of
the following applies:
•A paid employee working an average of 20 hours, except
for an internship or graduate assistantship.
•Self-employed for at least 20 hours a week and earning the equivalent of the federal
minimum wage times 20 hours.
•Participating in a work-study program or has a work-study job.
•The student cares for a child less than six years.
“Equity is both the means to healthy communities and an end that benefits us all. Equity requires the
intentional examination of systemic policies and practices that, even if they have the appearance of
fairness, may, in effect, serve to marginalize some and perpetuate disparities.”
–Northwest Health Foundation
SNAP usage has dramatically increased in recent years, subsequently
there is a greater need for healthy retail options for SNAP users.
•The student is enrolled full-time and is a single parent.
•The student is physically or mentally unfit for employment.
•The student is in job training classes.
•The student is in a program serving displaced workers.
Through collaboration with our partners and stakeholders, we were able to conduct a SWOT analysis of outreach efforts geared
towards our two populations. We discovered no targeted efforts within the district but found various efforts outside the district
extended to both seniors and (to a lesser extent) students. The EatUp team wants to support and expand existing efforts.
100000
•The student is receiving Oregon Employment Department Training Unemployment Insurance
(TUI) benefits.
Seniors
80000
•The student is enrolled due to participation in the higher education component of the JOBS
program.
•The student is enrolled as a result of employee-sponsored on-the-job training.
Two-thirds of Oregon seniors eligible for SNAP fail to take advantage of this federal program. Multnomah County Aging & Disability
Services helps provide outreach materials and register eligible seniors. Several organizations target seniors but recognize a
persistent need. A neighborhood district-level outreach strategy presents opportunities for a new approach.
60000
However, students who reside on campus with available meal plans are not eligible for SNAP
benefits.
40000
0
1989 1993 1995 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 SNAP RETAIL LOCATIONS IN UNIVERSITY
DISTRICT & SURROUNDINGS
Legend
Ecodistrict boundaries
in Ecodistrict
Buildings
out of Ecodistrict
^
Multifamily
SNAP Retail options within
quarter-mile buffer zone of
EcoDistrict
2004 2005 2006 2007 Corner Store Checklist [Modified & Reduced for EatUp Presentation] ^^
^
Ecodistrict 1/4 mile buffer
^
^
^
^
STORE INFRASTRUCTURE: Name of store: __________________________________________________________ Parks
Address: _______________________________________________________________ To determine an acceptable distance an elderly resident of the
University EcoDistrict could walk to purchase groceries, a quartermile buffer zone was created around the EcoDistrict borders.
Within this buffer zone, nine more SNAP retail locations were
found, all corner stores except Safeway.:
Approximate square feet: ________________ Years in operation_______________ Current owner: _________________________________ Tel. ____________________ Date of Observation: ____________ EBT (food stamps) and WIC: _________________ Section A: FRUITS AND VEGETABLES Please note type, location, price, & condition below: ^
^
Type •Go Food Stores, 1720 SW Jefferson St.
^
Example: plum Front ^
SECTION B: BEVERAGES •Plaid Pantry Market #13, 1305 SW 11th Ave.
Type •Safeway, 1030 SW Jefferson St.
Example: whole milk Refrigerated case, rear poor (overripe) Location X Frozen Can Dried X Price/Amount Other Comments $3.47/gallon One brand Price/Amount Other Comments SECTION C: SNACK FOOD ITEMS •7-11, 1533 SW Broadway
Type Location •Natural Mart, 1726 SW 4th Ave.
Example: Pretzels Snack isle, front $1 for 12 oz. bag •Duniway Deli, 2417 SW 5th Ave.
A few bags SECTION D: OTHER HEALTHY ITEMS •7-11, 30 SW Arthur St.
^
$ 1/ plum •Jr’s Convenience Store, 1140 SW Jefferson St.
•Park Avenue Market, 1503 Park Ave.
For the purpose of this project, the boundaries of the University EcoDistrict are those provided by the
Portland Sustainability Institute (POSI). A quarter-mile buffer zone around the EcoDistrict was also
mapped, with this distance based on functional limitations for frail adults, as identified by the Survey
of Income and Program Participation (SIPP). Difficulty of walking a quarter-mile without resting is
classified as a functional limitation in the SIPP.
Location Price/Amount Condition/quality Fresh Type Location Price/Amount Other Comments? SNAP RETAIL POSITIONS IN UNIVERSITY ECODISTRICT
AND QUARTER-MILE BUFFER ZONE
Yellow Star = in Ecodistrict
Red Star = out of Ecodistrict
SNAP RETAIL LOCATIONS IN UNIVERSITY DISTRICT AND SURROUNDINGS
WITH MEDIAN INCOME LEVEL BY CENSUS BLOCK GROUP
Legend
in Ecodistrict
out of Ecodistrict
Ecodistrict boundaries
Buildings
Multifamily
Parks
•
Plaid Pantry Market #75, 950 SW Mill St.
•
Plaid Pantry Market #7, 2075 SW 1st Ave.
•
Green Line Market, 1807 SW 5th Avenue *
•
Portland Farmers Market, South Park Blocks**
^^
^
in Ecodistrict
Fruits/Vegetables______________________ Candy_________________________________ Ecodistrict boundaries
Buildings in Ecodistrict
out of Ecodistrict
multifamly in ecodistrict
Parks in Ecodistrict
Median income by Ecodistrict block
$3,315.00
$10,962.00
$3,315.01 - $20,085.00
$10,962.01 - $20,085.00
$20,085.01 - $40,257.00
$20,085.01 - $26,822.00
$40,257.01 - $66,140.00
$26,822.01 - $40,257.00
$66,140.01 - $95,181.00
^
Sodas_________________________________ Legend
Median income by block group
^
About how many shelves are devoted to... Snacks ______________________________ SNAP RETAIL LOCATIONS IN UNIVERSITY DISTRICT
WITH MEDIAN INCOME LEVEL BY CENSUS BLOCK GROUP
$40,257.01 - $95,181.00
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
^
* Licensed but without EBT equipment, so currently unable to service SNAP purchases.
** The PSU Portland Farmers Market operates Saturdays, March - December. Some markets match up
to $5 in EBT purchases once a week. The closest PFM location to offer a $5 EBT matching program is
Buckman Market at SE 20th & Salmon, ~2 miles from the EcoDistrict.
Does the store have refrigerated storage for dairy or meats? (YES or NO) Fresh produce? (YES or NO) If there is refrigerated storage, is it in good working order? (YES or NO) Does the store have air conditioning? (YES or NO) Is it in working order? (YES or NO) Does the store have EBT machines for SNAP? (YES or NO) In working order? (YES or NO) Is the store WIC certified? (YES or NO) Does the store have a “micro-­‐business” within the store, such as a bakery, butchery, or other? If so, which ones? ________________________________________________________________ Is it run by the store owner or somebody else? _________________________________ Does the store have a large amount of inventory, or do the shelves appear somewhat bare? _____________________________________________________________ Are all products priced? YES or NO Individually____ shelf-­‐talkers on shelves____ Is there space on the walls for posters or advertising? YES or NO What is it advertised? ________________________________________________________________________ Please rate the store on Cleanliness: (Circle Good, Average, Poor) How much (%) of the outside of the store is covered with advertisements? ___________ Are there advertisements or specials for items inside the store? If so, what items are featured (such as marked as on sale, featured on a special stand, advertised on a poster, etc.)____________________________________________________________________ Community volunteer/researchers, please comment: Are there items you would like to buy in the neighborhood that are not in this store? Please describe. ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Available Non-Retail Food Options
ASPSU’s Student Food Pantry
Although not a retail location that accepts SNAP, the on-campus food pantry managed by ASPSU in the Smith Center, provides
free food to any student who asks, without screening them for SNAP or income eligibility. All food pantry users need to log in
with their student ID number to provide proof of their student status. Most items available for students to take off the shelves
are canned foods. A rough estimate of 2-6 people in winter and 12-15 in spring, visit the pantry.1
St. Michael’s Sack Lunches and Emergency Food Pantry
Located at SW 4th Avenue and Mill Street, the Church of St. Michael the Archangel offers free sack lunches every morning
Monday through Friday, and emergency food boxes on the afternoons of Monday, Wednesday and Friday. While anyone can
come in the morning to pick up a sack lunch, as St. Michael’s is a member of the Oregon Food Bank’s network, the USDA’s
income eligibility levels are used to determine whether an individual can collect an emergency food box. As students face
eligibility restrictions, they were not typically recipients of St. Michael’s services. However, the Oregon Food Bank recently
revised their philosophy and determined nobody should go without food. St. Michael’s averages 225-300 emergency food
boxes per month, and distributes an average of 80 sack lunches per day, with a summer peak of 160. Generally they are
limited on resources and can service households with a max of 4 people. They also serve hot meals to regular clientele, many
of whom are men and homeless, making it not necessarily comfortable for women.
Elm Court Center(located not in the EcoDistrict, but in the buffer zone)
^
^
^
Parks
UNIVERSITY ECODISTRICT
BOUNDARIES WITH 1/4 MILE BUFFER
2003 The EatUp project proposes to distribute content or templates for hand-outs to partner organizations. The outreach materials would
contain information to promote SNAP eligibility and inform seniors and students of available SNAP options within and near the
University District. The templates and project designs serve as a model for partner organizations to customize with other districts.
Corner Store Checklist
Multifamily
Ecodistrict 1/4 mile buffer
Partnership for Hunger Free Oregon recognizes the need to target students and is collaborating with us to design an outreach
campaign which addresses this need.
Source: USDA Economic Research Service
Why did we select a quarter mile buffer zone?
Formerly known as the food stamp program, SNAP (Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program)
provides federal funds to the states who then distribute funds to their clients via an EBT (electronic
benefits transfer) card. Oregon residents on SNAP can use their Oregon Trail card at licensed retail
stores and facilities. However, in the University District- despite the numerous cheap food optionsthere are a few options available for those who use SNAP benefits. SNAP can only be used to
purchase food that is brought off-site for preparation and consumption, thus SNAP cannot be used at
the popular food carts, restaurants, or the food court at Smith Center. The USDA’s online SNAP retail
locater was used to locate the following four licensed SNAP retailers within the University district:
Buildings
Students
SNAP par3cipants in Multnomah County 20000
The University EcoDistrict is Portland’s smallest EcoDistrict, nearly 99 acres found in the southern half
of Portland’s Downtown neighborhood. This Ecodistrict is bordered by Market Street to the north, First
Avenue to the east, and I-405 comprising its southwest border. Besides the campus of Portland State
University, this EcoDistrict also contains the 235-room University Place Hotel; Portland’s famous Halprin
fountains; and a portion of the 12-block South Park Blocks, which is the seasonal home to the Portland
Farmers Market.
What options in the University EcoDistrict are available to low-income students
or seniors on SNAP?
Ecodistrict boundaries
Outreach Efforts
120000
Ecodistrict 1/4 mile buffer
Legend
ASPSU Food Pantry with ASPSU University Affairs Director Laken Harrel
SNAP Participants in Multnomah County
1989-2007
•The student qualifies for TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
Profile of the University EcoDistrict
There is no shortage of food options within the University EcoDistrict. Ranging from Portland’s
popular foodcarts along 4th Avenue to a wide variety of fast-food options to PSU’s food court located
in the Smith Memorial Student Union, most options available in the University EcoDistrict are not
expensive. As the University EcoDistrict is located south of Downtown Portland’s cultural district and
fine-dining restaurants, a sampling of the Zagat’s guide and online websites reveals no high-priced
dining options.
•Portland Farmers Market
What is equity?
•The student cares for a child less than 12 years and a lack of child care would prohibit
the student from attending class and having a job.
How are the boundaries of the University EcoDistrict defined?
UNIVERSITY ECODISTRICT BOUNDARIES
WITH 1/4 MILE BUFFER
•Partnership for a Hunger Free Oregon
•Upstream Public Health
1 Briggs, S., Fisher, A., Lott, M., Miller, S. and N. Tessman. “Real
Food, Real Choice: Connecting SNAP Recipients With Farmers
Markets.” Community Food Security Coalition and Farmers
Market Coalition. June 2010.
Food Options within the University
EcoDistrict
•Oregon Public Health Institute (OPHI)
•State of Oregon Department of Human Services
Bisected by the Portland Streetcar, the University EcoDistrict is also the endpoint for the Max Green
Line, with plans to extend the Green Line south to the Clackamas Town Center. The University District
is less densely populated than other portions of downtown, due to the presence of Portland State
University, and other businesses, although there are over 20 multifamily housing complexes within the
district. The University District also has a lower median income then surrounding areas of downtown as
well.
¯
and a Fellow of the Institute for Sustainable Solutions at PSU
•Portland State University Institute of Aging
3 OAR 461-135-0570
Legend
•City of Portland Community Gardens
Educate, Access, Thrive: Underserved Populations,
Healthy Food, Equity And Community Food Systems Project
2 Karnes, Valerie, PSU Office of Financial Aid, telephone
conversation, May 9, 2011.
UNIVERSITY ECODISTRICT BOUNDARIES
•City of Portland Commissioner Nick Fish’s Office
Food Policy Specialist: Kyle Curtis, MPA, Research Assistant for Community Environmental Services at PSU
Seniors are often on fixed income, relying on social security,
retirement, or pensions and are often eligible for SNAP. However,
participation rate in the program is low. The Community Food
Security Coalition explained in their recent report Real Food,
Real Choices: “In 2006, approximately 2 million seniors (age 60
or over) received food stamp benefits, representing 9% of total
participation. The participation rate for seniors on SNAP in 2005
was 30%. Only one-third of eligible seniors participated
in SNAP.”1 This low participation rates indicates the need to
increase outreach and information activities that specifically
target seniors.
EatUp has 4 primary project phases:
•Associated Students of Portland State University (ASPSU)
Project Lead: Renée Bogin Curtis, MUS, Faculty Research Assistant for the Center for Urban Studies at PSU
SNAP Eligibility
The purpose of EatUp is to increase access and awareness of healthy, nutritious foods for low-income students and
low-income senior residents in the University EcoDistrict. The project attempts to address the question: Are there
significant barriers to healthy food access for low-income members of PSU’s student and surrounding community;
what are some ways to mitigate these barriers?
The EatUp team would like to thank our community
partners and stakeholders:
^
SNAP RETAIL POSITIONS IN UNIVERSITY ECODISTRICT
AND QUARTER-MILE BUFFER ZONE
WITH MEDIAN INCOME LEVEL BY CENSUS BLOCK GROUP
Yellow Star = in Ecodistrict
Red Star = out of Ecodistrict
SNAP RETAIL POSITIONS IN UNIVERSITY ECODISTRICT
WITH MEDIAN INCOME LEVEL BY CENSUS BLOCK GROUP
Elm Court Center is located in the heart of downtown Portland on the corner of SW 11th Avenue and Main Street. Elm Court
is the only one of Loaves & Fishes’ 34 centers that is open daily for meals. Beginning in June 2010 the Elm Court Center
began accepting SNAP EBT donations for meals, in partnership with the Multnomah County Aging and Disability Services
department. The Elm Court Center is the first congregant meal site to pilot this program.
1Laken Harrel, University Affairs Director, Associated Students of Portland State University
Assessing the SNAP retail
locations in the University
District
We identified SNAP retail locations both in the EcoDistrict and just
outside within a quarter-mile buffer zone to assess all available
food options for SNAP participants. What food products are on the
shelves of these SNAP retail locations? Are healthy food products
readily available? How do we assess the healthiness of products at
these locations?
Our community partners offered suggestions of various tools to
measure and evaluate the overall healthiness of corner stores. Amy
Gilroy from the Oregon Public Health Institute provided a copy of
the Nutrition Environment Measures in Stores Survey (NEMS-S), a
highly detailed 16-page survey developed out of Emory University
that rated and scored the following products which are expected
to be found in any store: milk, fruit, vegetables, ground beef, hot
dog, frozen dinners, baked goods, beverage, bread, and baked
chips (see Appendix). For the purposes of this project, however,
the assessment tool used is the Corner Store Checklist adopted
by the Multnomah County’s Healthy Retail Initiative to measure
and evaluate the healthiness of corner stores throughout the
County. The corner store checklist consists of five pages and
collects information on fruits and vegetables, beverages, snack food
items, other healthy items, and culturally appropriate items for the
local populations. Comments are also collected about the store’s
cleanliness and infrastructure.
Multnomah County’s Healthy
Retail Initiative
Based out of the Multnomah County Health Department, the
purpose of the Multnomah County Healthy Retail Initiative is to
support, encourage, and promote voluntary actions by retail stores
to increase access to healthy, affordable, culturally relevant food.
Formed as an off shoot of the Portland Multnomah Food Policy
Council’s Healthy Retail work group, the Healthy Retail Initiative
seeks to align the County’s efforts with an insurgence of national
interest towards healthy corner stores. According to Patrick
Gorman, the Food Policy Specialist for the County’s Community
Wellness and Prevention Program, 1000 healthy neighborhood
stores around the country have been recently added to a network
that just a few years ago only had ten stores.
Although the “healthy corner store” movement is too recent to
provide data to measure effective ways to distribute healthy food in
underserved areas, there is plenty of information about connections
between cheap, unhealthy food in corner stores and our nation’s
obesity epidemic. For example, a study of urban corner stores in
Philadelphia revealed that every $1 spent equaled an average of
350 calories.1 Assessments conducted by the EatUp project team
will help inform Multnomah County about corner stores in and near
the EcoDistrict.
1 Borradaile, K.E., Sherman, S., Vander Veur, S. S., McCoy, T., Sandoval, B., Nachmani, J.,
Karpyn, A., and G. D. Foster. “Snacking in Children: The Role of Urban Corner Stores.”
Pediatrics, Nov. 2009; 124: 1293 – 1298.