Framework Component
Readiness The state of being fully prepared to make a behavior change. & Capacity - Goals and IntentionsIndicator Description
Individual and family goals and intentions that reflect smarter shopping and food resource management (FRM) strategies, enabling participants to stretch their food resource dollars to support a healthier diet.
Background and Context
Indicator ST2 measures intent to change and goals resulting from a single education lesson or a series of food resource management classes with SNAP-Ed adults and youth. Differences in reportable outcomes may be explained by the intensity of food resource management programming received by participants. Depending on setting and time availability, surveys and questions noted below may be conducted in a pre- and post-test design or in a post-test only design such as used in the University of California (UC) CalFresh Intent to Change surveys. Some of the questions may need to be updated to reflect the latest dietary guidelines. Using multiple measures of intent and goal setting strengthens the likelihood of determining that participants are motivated to improve their food resource management practices. At present, there is no standardized survey instrument or composite score used in SNAP-Ed programming due to the variety of curricula and population subgroups served. Evaluators are encouraged to measure the degree of correlation among the individual measures presented in this indicator. Results may be limited due to self-report biases (e.g., recall and social desirability).
Outcome The desired benefit, improvement, or achievement of a specific program or goal. Measures
The number of adults/heads of households who set goals and/or changes in level of intent to practice food resource management behaviors.
Healthful Shopping Practices: Setting Setting is the type of site where the intervention takes place; interventions may be implemented in more than one setting. The Community setting includes interventions designed to help children and families and/or interventions implemented in neighborhoods, parks, faith-based organizations, or other community locations. This also includes recreation and emergency food provision settings. goals or changes in intent related to the following shopping behaviors:
| ST2a. | Choose healthy foods for my family on a budget |
| ST2b. | Read nutrition facts label or nutrition ingredients lists |
| ST2c. | Buy 100 percent whole grain products |
| ST2d. | Buy low-fat milk or dairy products |
| ST2e. | Buy foods with lower added: 2e1. Solid fats Fats that are solid at room temperature, like beef fat, butter, and shortening. Solid fats mainly come from animal foods and can also be made from vegetable oils through a process called hydrogenation. (saturated and/or trans) 2e2. Sugar 2e3. Salt/sodium |
| ST2f. | Buy fruits and vegetables-fresh, frozen, dried, or canned in 100 percent juice |
Stretch Food Dollars: Setting Setting is the type of site where the intervention takes place; interventions may be implemented in more than one setting. The Community setting includes interventions designed to help children and families and/or interventions implemented in neighborhoods, parks, faith-based organizations, or other community locations. This also includes recreation and emergency food provision settings. goals or changes in intent related to the following shopping behaviors:
| ST2g. | Not run out of food before month's end |
| ST2h. | Compare prices before buying foods |
| ST2i. | Identify foods on sale or use coupons to save money |
| ST2j. | Shop with a list |
| ST2k. | Batch cook (cook once; eat many times) |
| ST2l. | Use unit pricing to find best values |
| ST2m. | Cook healthy foods on a budget |
What to Measure
SNAP-Ed participants who indicate an intent to practice at least one method for managing their food resources through food shopping practices, food storage, food preparation, and budgeting. Choose at least one outcome measure from the list provided, and select a measurement approach based upon the type of survey question and responses. The example surveys and sample questions listed below are for matched pre- and post-test outcome measurements of intention and goals. Some surveys, such as intent, can be used to measure post-test only responses of intent (e.g., University of California CalFresh Nutrition Education intent surveys).
For a description on ordinal and nominal outcomes, please see Appendix D.
Population
Adults (ages 18+), high school or transitional aged youth who are the primary shoppers/meal preparers