Nutrient Availability, Food Costs, and Food Stamps

Abstract

Abstract Nutrient consumption patterns of low income households were analyzed using data from the special low income component of the 1977–78 Nationwide Food Consumption Survey. A system of simultaneous equations for estimating food cost and diet component availability levels in home food supply was applied. The derived reduced form showed that Food Stamp Program participation had a positive impact on diet component availability levels. Impacts of other socioeconomic variables examined for diet component availability were generally larger than those for program participation and income. Diet component availability levels were relatively constant across households with different income and Food Stamp Program bonus levels.