Parents report negative interactions with SNAP/FAP caseworkers that leave them feeling disrespected and less likely to pursue benefits. Case workers would benefit from greater support and more manageable caseloads, allowing them to engage in respectful and comprehensive interactions with clients.
Parents are frequently the target of stigmatizing interactions when shopping with their Bridge Card. Improvements in staff training; flexibility to pay with EBT through self-checkout, online, and “pay while you shop” options; and a more discreet design for the Bridge Card would all improve families’ shopping experience.
Charitable Food System
Many families feel that using a food pantry or hot food program is a last resort, they feel ashamed of having no other choice but to use them and don’t want their children to be aware that they are using the charitable food system. Reducing the stigma of needing charitable food and improving the environment of food pantries/food distribution sites should be a priority to ensure that families who need food feel comfortable accessing it.
Clear communication about days and hours open, ensuring generous and empathetic staff and volunteers, and allowing food choice are all strategies that parents reported made them feel more comfortable using the charitable food system.
WIC
Incorrect labeling, lack of stock, and errors at checkout make redeeming benefits difficult and stressful for parents. Improving the WIC shopping experience by improving staff training, store signage, and point-of-sale devices would decrease the stigma of using WIC.
Parents would love to have the ability to use WIC to pay for eligible foods purchased online. Although this does not remove all barriers to redeeming benefits and many parents will still prefer shopping in-person, families will be more likely to stay enrolled in WIC as their children move out of infancy if they could shop online when needed.
School Food Distribution
School food distribution programs always need to be aware of the potential for stigma against children perceived to be low-income or food insecure.
P-EBT
As with SNAP/FAP, parents requested that EBT cards have a discreet design to reduce negative comments from other grocery shoppers or retail staff.
