What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim was to assess how bi-weekly grocery store vouchers impact food security in foreign-born residents.

February 11, 2026

Improving Household Food Security Among Foreign-Born Residents of New York City Through Grocery Store Vouchers: A Pilot Program

Key Points

The aim was to assess how bi-weekly grocery store vouchers impact food security in foreign-born residents.
Pre-post-test evaluation design with baseline and follow-up assessments after 8 weeks.
Participants received paper-based food vouchers biweekly for a total of 4 distributions.
Household food insecurity was assessed using USDA's 6-item survey.
Average food security score improved significantly from 4.4 to 2.6 (P < .001).
Percentage of participants classified as low or very low food security dropped from 97% to 66% (P < .001).

Abstract

Context: Many foreign-born residents of the United States are food insecure and are not eligible for government assistance programs that can improve food security, like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Objectives: This evaluation aimed to assess the implementation and impact of bi-weekly grocery store vouchers on household food security among New York City foreign-born residents at risk of food insecurity. Design: We employed a pre-post-test evaluation design among program participants with a baseline assessment and a follow-up assessment 8 weeks later. Setting: This program was implemented in East Harlem, a diverse, low-income neighborhood in New York City with a large immigrant population. Participants: A total of 163 residents of East Harlem, New York City participated in the program. Intervention: The paper-based food vouchers were distributed to study participants biweekly for 8 weeks, for a total of 4 distributions. Each voucher was valued at 10 and participants received either 100 or 150 in grocery store vouchers, bi-weekly, depending on household size. Participants completed evaluation surveys during each distribution period. Main Outcome Measure: Household food insecurity was assessed using the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) 6-item short form Household Food Security Survey Module and the associated 6-item Food Security Scale developed by researchers at the National Center for Health Statistics. Results: The average food security score among participants significantly improved from 4. 4 at the start of the program to 2. 6 by the end of the program (P <. 001), with a lower score indicating higher food security. Food security status also changed significantly, with a change from 97% participants considered low or very low food security at the start of the study, to 66% by the end of the study (P <. 001). Conclusions: Grocery store vouchers may be effective at improving household food security among foreign-born residents who do not participate in SNAP.

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