Frozen Fruit and Vegetable Perceptions and Usage among a Multistate Sample of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education and Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program Participants

Background: Despite the health benefits of a diet rich in fruits and vegetables (FV), most Americans do not consume the recommended amounts. Federal nutrition education programs for adults with low income promote frozen fruits and vegetables (FFV) to improve dietary intake, save money, and prevent food waste. However, FFV purchasing, use, and attitudes among this consumer base are not well understood. Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine the perceptions and use of FFV among adults who have participated in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) or Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) classes. Methods: An electronic survey was developed to assess frozen food purchases, FFV perceptions and preparation, and nutrition education and outreach. Subjects were recruited via SNAP-Ed/EFNEP programs. Descriptive analyses were conducted using SAS 9.4 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). Results: = 421) were mostly female (84%), without a college degree (72%), and with annual incomes