U.S. Fruit and Vegetable Affordability on the Thrifty Food Plan Depends on Purchasing Power and Safety Net Supports.

Sabrina K. Young,Hayden Stewart

doi:10.3390/ijerph19052772

Abstract

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) increases the food purchasing power of lower-income households so that they can better afford a nutritious diet. Benefit amounts are based in part on the cost for a household to follow the Thrifty Food Plan (TFP), a meal pattern designed to meet the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. In October 2021, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reformulated the TFP and increased its cost by 21%. However, the TFP still does not account for differences in food prices across the country. This study examines: (1) how geographic variation in food prices affects fruit and vegetable affordability and (2) to what extent raising the cost of the TFP (and therefore the maximum SNAP benefit) has mitigated these effects. We use data on fruit and vegetable prices from the USDA and simulation techniques to create and cost out food baskets with a sufficient quantity and variety of fruits and vegetables for a representative household to satisfy guidelines over one week. We find that the increase in SNAP benefits will increase fruit and vegetable affordability for participating households. However, households facing food prices greater than national average food prices may still face tradeoffs to purchase a balanced diet.

Highlights

The United Nations (UN) placed consumption of produce at the forefront in 2021 by designating it as the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables as part of the UN Decade of Action on Nutrition (2016–2025), citing the affordability of fruits and vegetables as an important barrier on which to focus [1]
Social safety nets are among the mechanisms available to governments around the world for “pulling” lower-income households closer to fruit and vegetable consumption goals according to Research Partners of the Scientific Group for the Food Systems Summit in March 2021 [5]
U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) fruit and vegetable cost estimates used in this study are based on 2016 scanner data provided by grocery stores and other food retailers to Information Resources Incorporated (IRI), a market research company [26]

Summary

Introduction

The United Nations (UN) placed consumption of produce at the forefront in 2021 by designating it as the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables as part of the UN Decade of Action on Nutrition (2016–2025), citing the affordability of fruits and vegetables as an important barrier on which to focus [1]. Underconsumption of these foods is a problem in many countries including European Nations and the United States (U.S.) [2–4]. Those with positive net income receive a reduced benefit equal to the maximum amount for their household minus 30 percent of their net income. (Net income is calculated as gross income minus allowable deductions such as excess shelter costs and 20 percent of earned income.)

Methods

Results

Conclusion