Building the Evidence Base for Iowa's Nutrition Initiatives
Overview
When states test new nutrition policies, they need more than participation counts. They need evidence that helps them understand what is working and what’s not to make informed decisions about future investments. Altarum is helping the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services evaluate two high-profile initiatives: the Healthy Kids Iowa summer nutrition pilot and the Iowa SNAP food restriction waiver demonstration project.
Challenge: A Need for Evidence
Iowa is designing and piloting nutrition programs that affect how its residents access and use food assistance, including a summer nutrition program for youth and a federally approved waiver limiting what SNAP participants can purchase. The state needs rigorous evaluation to understand whether the programs are achieving their goals and what to adjust going forward.
Solution: Customized Evaluations
For Healthy Kids Iowa, a pilot project that provided youth with monthly boxes of nutritious foods during the summer, Altarum surveyed participating families to capture their experiences and satisfaction, and surveyed food banks and local distribution site partners to gather in-depth insights on program implementation.
For the SNAP food restriction demonstration waiver, Altarum is conducting a study to examine changes in SNAP participant behaviors and purchasing patterns before and after the waiver takes effect.
Results: Evidence Iowa Can Act On
The Healthy Kids Iowa evaluation found strong participant appreciation for the program and access to a variety of nutritious foods, while also identifying logistical and operational challenges faced by coordination and distribution partners. A brief report summarizing key results is available. Findings from the SNAP waiver demonstration project are in process and expected to be available in late 2026.
Together, these evaluations give Iowa information it can use to refine program operations, assess policy impacts, and guide future nutrition investments.