Second Harvest Heartland’s recent study aiming to understand SNAP usage in the Latino community revealed several misunderstandings about the program. Most startling was the belief that children of SNAP beneficiaries would need to repay the benefits as adults or be prioritized in a military draft.

The study aimed to improve understanding of SNAP awareness within Minnesota’s Latino population since food insecurity rates are higher (17%) among Latinos compared to white, non-Hispanics (5%). Sarah Peterson, Director of Neighbor Services at Second Harvest Heartland, stated, “This study offered insight into the required information and the myths we must address.”

Hispanic Advocacy and Community Empowerment through Research (HACER) led the effort and found an information gap due to scarcity of Spanish materials and inadequate interpretation. The study emphasized the need for clear Spanish outreach and communication. While 73% of respondents saw SNAP benefits as positive, only 40% were familiar with the application process. 46% thought applying might jeopardize residency or citizenship, a misconception tied to the Trump Administration’s public charge rule expansion. Half believed that misinformation is the primary deterrent for Latinos applying for SNAP.

The study suggested effective ways to relay information. Peterson mentioned using trusted platforms like churches, markets, and schools for communication could be beneficial. “Providing information conversationally, allowing them to ask questions, is essential. The goal is for them to share this knowledge within their communities,” she added.

Meeting rising demands has been challenging for food banks like Second Harvest Heartland. Their 15-member SNAP outreach team uses a mix of hands-on outreach and application assistance. A virtual hub is underway, designed to offer all food bank services, including SNAP assistance, through a single access point. This hub, as explained by Peterson, will include a team well-versed in the food bank’s programs, guiding users to appropriate resources or programs.

For inclusivity, the hub will feature navigators proficient in Spanish, Hmong, and Somali – the predominant non-English languages in their service area. This effort is crucial for extensive interactions like the SNAP application, which is about ten pages long with “hundreds of data points.” While challenges exist, proactive steps are being taken to understand and address the barriers faced by Minnesota’s Latino community in accessing SNAP.