Food stamps, food costs, nuctrient availbility, and nutrient intake

Abstract

The Food Stamp Program (FSP) is designed to increase the food expenditures and the diet status of low income households. However, suprisingly little is known about the relationships among income, FSP bonus, FSP participation, availability of nutrients in household food supplies and individual nutrients intakes. Data from the special Low Income Component of the 1977–1978 Nationwide Food Consumption Survey were utilized to estimate effects of FSP participation on food expenditures, nutrient availability, and nutrient intake. The estimation procedure utilized a principal components index for characterizing availability and intake of the included nutrients. Results showed that FSP participation and the bonus increased food expenditures and improved the nutritional status of diets of low income household members. Nutrient availability and intake levels for FSP participants were increased by as much as 10–15% per week for selected nutrients.