Reports
Characteristics and Dietary Patterns of Healthy and Less-Healthy Eaters in the Low-Income Population (PDF | 3.79 MB)USDA. FNS. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
This report looks at dietary patterns of low-income individuals classified as "healthy" and "less healthy" eaters based on their score on the Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2005. Findings, including dietary characteristics and dietary patterns, and implications for nutrition education are discussed. Report summary (PDF 65 KB) also available. February 2012
Are Healthy Foods Really More Expensive? It Depends on How You Measure the PriceUSDA. Economic Research Service.
Report investigates the common notion that healthier foods are more expensive than less-healthy foods. To investigate, prices of healthy and less-healthy foods were compared using three price metrics: price of food energy ($/calorie), price of edible weight ($/100 edible grams), and the price of an average portion ($/portion). The costs of meeting recommendations for each food group was also calculated. Report Summary (PDF 1.39MB) and Full report (PDF 5.55MB) also available. May 2012.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Examining the Evidence to Define Benefit Adequacy
The National Press Academies Press.
This book consists of an evidence-based review of the adequacy of SNAP allotments, specifically examining the feasibility of establishing an objective, evidence-based, science-driven definition of the adequacy of SNAP allotments consistent with the program goals of improving food security and access to a healthy diet. In addition, the book examines other relevant dimensions of adequacy; and data and analyses needed to support an evidence-based assessment of the adequacy of SNAP allotments.
How Economic Conditions Affect Participation in USDA Nutrition ProgramsUSDA. Economic Research Service.
This study examines the relationship between U.S. economic conditions and participation in the USDA's five largest nutrition assistance programs, including SNAP, as well as how changes in the program policy and other factors may have influenced this relationship. The results strongly suggest that, to varying degrees, economic conditions influence participation in all the major nutrition assistance programs. September 2012.
Effects on Childhood Obesity of Participation in Multiple Federal Nutrition Assistance ProgramsGeorgia State University and Southern Methodist University.
Investigates the relationships between participation in the School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and childhood
obesity. Findings show simultaneous participation in all three programs is unrelated to childhood obesity in low-income households. Click on PDF (629 KB) for full text article. March 2012
Dietary Assessment of Major Trends in U.S. Food Consumption, 1970-2005USDA. Economic Research Service.
This report examines major trends in the amount of food available for consumption in the United States between 1970 and 2005. The report also estimates whether Americans are meeting Federal dietary recommendations for each of the major food groups. Findings show that for Americans to meet these recommendations, they would need to substantially lower their intake of added fats, refined grains, and added sugars and sweeteners and increase their consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat milk and milk products. March 2008
Household Food Spending by Selected Demographics in the 1990sUSDA. Economic Research Service.
Describes average per-person total food expenditures between 1990 and 1998 by demographic variables including age, income and race. August 2001
Effects of Economic Conditions and Program Policy on State Food Stamp Program Caseloads, 2000 to 2006 (PDF | 1277)USDA. Economic Research Service.
Study combines State panel data and qualitative interviews to examine the economic and policy factors associated with the sharp increase in the number of Food Stamp Program (FSP) participants between 2000 and 2006. This period is particularly interesting because the rise in participation between 2003 and 2006 occurred while the national economy was improving. August 2009
Food Stamp Program Costs and Error Rates, 1989-2001 (PDF | 530 KB)USDA. Economic Research Service.
"This report presents the results of a study of trends in FSP administrative costs and errors from 1989 to 2001." January 2006
Can Low-Income Americans Afford a Healthy Diet? (PDF | 64 KB)University of Washington Center for Public Health Nutrition.
This publication examines the lower diet quality that often is seen in low-income Americans and promotes affordable nutrient rich foods as a viable alternative. March 2009
Food Assistance and Nutrition Programs: FANRP Research FindingsUSDA. Economic Research Service.
The Food Assistance and Nutrition Research Program (FANRP) supports a broad spectrum of food and nutrition assistance research. ERS has compiled an electronic database of the hundreds of peer-reviewed reports and articles based on FANRP-supported research published at ERS and elsewhere.
The Costs of Benefit Delivery in the Food Stamp Program: Lessons From a Cross-Program AnalysisUSDA. Economic Research Service.
"This study compares the Food Stamp Program (FSP) with eight other public assistance programs across four measures of program effectiveness-administrative costs, error payments, program access, and benefit targeting. Results show that the FSP and the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) present contrasting patterns. Low administrative costs also appear to be inversely associated with good program access for recipients. Also, programs that are more highly targeted tend to have higher benefit delivery costs." View full report in PDF (472 KB). March 2008
Are Lower Income Households Willing and Able To Budget for Fruits and Vegetables?
USDA. Economic Research Service.
Households have a number of needs and wants that all compete for scarce resources. Given this situation, are low-income households, in particular, generally willing and able to budget for healthful foods like fruits and vegetables, or are other goods and services, including other foods, more of a priority?
Who Has Time To Cook? How Family Resources Influence Food PreparationUSDA. Economic Research Service.
This study finds that household time resources significantly affect how much time is allocated to preparing food. The results are relevant for the design of food assistance programs as well as for improving our understanding of how different family time resources affect consumption behavior. May 2007
Let's Eat Out: Americans Weigh Taste, Convenience, and NutritionUSDA. Economic Research Service.
This study analyzes how, what, and where Americans eat outside the home. October 2006
The Relationship of Earnings and Income to Food Stamp Participation: A Longitudinal AnalysisUSDA. Economic Research Service.
"This study considers the role that the dynamics of household income plays in determining FSP participation. The two main objectives of the analysis are to (1) determine the extent to which nonparticipation can reasonably be attributed to temporary low income, and (2) assess why some households that appear to have long-term low income do not participate." November 2003
Geographic Differences in Relative Prices of Healthy FoodsUSDA. Economic Research Service
This report explores whether a select set of healthy foods are more expensive than less healthy alternatives. The results showed that not all healthy foods are more expensive than less-healthy alternatives. Results also showed considerable variation in the relative price of healthy foods which could be a factor in geographic variation in diet and health outcomes.
Using USDA'sThrifty Food Plan To Assess Food Availability and Affordability (PDF | 233 KB)USDA. Economic Research Service
Report accessing food availability and affordability in Washington, DC that uses a weekly menu meeting the nutritional and dietary requirements of the Thrifty Food Plan. May 2001
Using Point-of-Purchase Data To Evaluate Local WIC Nutrition Education Interventions: Feasibility StudyUSDA. Economic Research Service.
This study finds that combining point-of-purchase data with State data on the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a feasible method to assess behavioral changes in WIC participants. Full report available in PDF (222 KB). January 2007
The Impact of Big-Box Stores on Retail Food Prices and the Consumer Price Index
USDA. Economic Research Service.
This report focuses on retail food market dynamics and how they affect food price variation across store formats.
How Low-Income Households Allocate Their Food Budget Relative to the Cost of the Thrifty Food PlanUSDA. Economic Research Service.
To determine whether some types of households are more likely than others to budget their food purchases in accordance with Thrifty Food Plan (TFP) benchmarks, and to identify households that might benefit most from nutrition education programs, the study compared actual and TFP expenditures for four household categories. August 2006
Can Food Stamps Do More To Improve Food Choices? An Economic Perspective
USDA. Economic Research Service.
"This series of Economic Information Bulletins compiles evidence to help answer the question of whether the Food Stamp Program can do more to improve the food choices of participants." September 2007
How Much Do Americans Pay for Fruits and Vegetables?USDA. Economic Research Service.
This analysis uses AC Nielsen Homescan data on 1999 household food purchases from all types of retail outlets to estimate an annual retail price per pound and per serving for 69 forms of fruits and 85 forms of vegetables. July 2004
Fruit and Vegetable Consumption by Low-Income Americans: Would a Price Reduction Make a Difference?USDA. Economic Research Service.
Americans' diets, particularly those of low-income households, fall short of Government recommendations in the quantity of fruits and vegetables consumed. Some proposals suggest that a price subsidy for those products would encourage low-income Americans to consume more of them. This study estimated that a 10-percent subsidy would encourage low-income Americans to increase their consumption of fruits by 2.1-5.2 percent and vegetables by 2.1-4.9 percent. January 2009
Rising Food Prices Take a Bite Out of Food Stamp BenefitsUSDA. Economic Research Service.
As in most other Federal Government assistance programs, SNAP benefits are adjusted in response to rising prices-in this case, rising food prices. The current method of adjustment results in a shortfall between the maximum food stamp benefit and the cost of a nutritionally adequate diet as specified by USDA.'s Thrifty Food Plan. These losses in food purchasing power account for 1 percent, 4 percent, and 7 percent of the maximum benefit in each respective year. Alternative adjustment methods can reduce the shortfall but will raise program costs. December 2008
Determinants of the Food Stamp Program CaseloadUSDA. Economic Research Service.
This report examines 1990-2004 data to consider how Food Stamp and welfare policy changes and the changing economic climate have affected the Food Stamp Program caseload over time. January 2009
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