(P16-006-25) Frozen Food Perceptions and Usage Among a Multistate Sample of SNAP-Ed and EFNEP Participants

Objectives: Determine the perceptions and use of frozen foods among adults with low income who have participated in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Education (SNAP-Ed) or Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) lessons.

Methods: Based on prior market research conducted by the American Frozen Food Institute, an electronic survey was developed containing five domains: frozen food purchases, frozen food perceptions, frozen food preparation, nutrition education and outreach, and grocery access. Participants were recruited into the study via flyers that SNAP-Ed/EFNEP peer educators distributed in 15 states, spanning all U.S. geographical regions, from November 2023—September 2024. Participants received a $20 electronic gift card for participating. Descriptive analyses were conducted using SAS 9.4.

Results: Four hundred twenty-one completed, non-duplicated surveys were analyzed. The sample was mostly female (84%), did not have a college degree (72%), and had annual incomes < $25,000 (63%). Roughly one-third of respondents reported eating frozen foods every few days or almost every day, another third reported eating them weekly, and the final third ate frozen foods a few times per month or year. Seventy-one percent purchased frozen foods at “big box” retailers, such as Wal-Mart. Most (59%) considered using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to buy frozen foods very or extremely important. Top factors considered when purchasing frozen foods included cost, quality, and shelf life. When comparing frozen fruits and vegetables (FVs) to fresh FVs, participants considered frozen FVs to result in less food waste but considered fresh FVs to have fewer preservatives and better appearance, texture, nutrition, and flavor.

Conclusions: SNAP-eligible populations participating in SNAP-Ed and EFNEP are a key consumer demographic for frozen foods and utilize them to save money and limit food waste. However, misconceptions persist, such as that fresh FVs are more nutritious than frozen. SNAP-Ed/EFNEP educators could incorporate additional education on adding frozen foods into a healthy diet to help families with low incomes use these cost-effective foods to meet their nutrition and health goals.

Funding Sources: Frozen Food Foundation