The Relationship Between Food Insecurity and Food Assistance Program Participation in Families of Preschool Children in the Rio Grande Valley

The South Texas Early Prevention Study-PreK, a cluster randomized trial, explored the Bienestar Coordinated School Health Program’s influence on health variables in South Texas children. Factors associated with food insecurity (FI) were analyzed. Income-to-poverty ratio, income, and food assistance (FA) program participation were all associated with FI. Forty percent of families (257/643) reporting FI did not utilize FA. Of those families with FI, but who reported no FA participation, 31.8% were FA eligible. Families experiencing FI may underutilize FA programs, despite eligibility. Curtailing obstacles preventing FA program participation and matching those who are eligible with FA programs are crucial.