ERS: SNAP makes little difference in adult dietary choices
April 24, 2013 | 04:30 PM
Low-income adults who participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, better known as SNAP or food stamps, eat almost the same as people who do not participate in the program, but there are some differences in their food choices, the Agriculture Department’s Economic Research Service said in a study released today.
The study compared adults whose income is 200 percent of the federal poverty rate or less and participate in SNAP with those who do not. The study did not include children.
SNAP’s goals are twofold — to increase food security and to encourage good food choices. Nutritionists have said USDA should do more to encourage healthy eating, but food manufacturers, the grocery store industry and anti-hunger advocates have opposed any restrictions on what SNAP participants can buy with their benefits.
“The evidence as to whether SNAP participation is beneficial or adverse regarding diet quality is inconclusive,” Christian Gregory, the author of the study said.
But the study did show that SNAP participation increases the likelihood that people will consume whole fruit by 23 percentage points, but will decrease their intake of dark green/orange vegetables by a modest amount — the equivalent of about 1 ounce for a 2,000-calorie diet.
The study said that most people in the income category do not eat any whole fruit in the course of a normal day and that the SNAP money may make them feel that they can afford fruit.
The SNAP participants’ decision not to eat as much dark green/orange vegetables may be related to work requirements in some states and the fact that those vegetables usually require cooking, the study said.
Using a numerical method of analyzing the diet these findings lead to a conclusion that the SNAP participants’ diet is “a little less healthy.”
Kevin Concannon
Agriculture Undersecretary for Food and Nutrition Services Kevin Concannon noted in a call to reporters today that, ”The habits of most Americans are not consistent with the recommendations of the dietary guidelines.”
All Americans could benefit from more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low fat meats, less sodium, he said.
Concannon said he hopes that the farm bill will require all stores that take SNAP benefits to sell fruits and vegetables. About 82 percent of benefits are redeemed in grocery stores, but 18 percent are redeemed in smaller establishments that do not always sell a wide range of healthy food.
Rules already require stores that are authorized to redeem benefits under the Special Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) to offer healthy foods and the result has been positive, Concannon said.
He pointed out that USDA has been conducting a pilot project to provide incentives to SNAP participants in western Massachusetts to encourage them to buy more fruits and vegetables and will be releasing the results of that study in May.
The study compared adults whose income is 200 percent of the federal poverty rate or less and participate in SNAP with those who do not. The study did not include children.
SNAP’s goals are twofold — to increase food security and to encourage good food choices. Nutritionists have said USDA should do more to encourage healthy eating, but food manufacturers, the grocery store industry and anti-hunger advocates have opposed any restrictions on what SNAP participants can buy with their benefits.
“The evidence as to whether SNAP participation is beneficial or adverse regarding diet quality is inconclusive,” Christian Gregory, the author of the study said.
But the study did show that SNAP participation increases the likelihood that people will consume whole fruit by 23 percentage points, but will decrease their intake of dark green/orange vegetables by a modest amount — the equivalent of about 1 ounce for a 2,000-calorie diet.
The study said that most people in the income category do not eat any whole fruit in the course of a normal day and that the SNAP money may make them feel that they can afford fruit.
The SNAP participants’ decision not to eat as much dark green/orange vegetables may be related to work requirements in some states and the fact that those vegetables usually require cooking, the study said.
Using a numerical method of analyzing the diet these findings lead to a conclusion that the SNAP participants’ diet is “a little less healthy.”
Agriculture Undersecretary for Food and Nutrition Services Kevin Concannon noted in a call to reporters today that, ”The habits of most Americans are not consistent with the recommendations of the dietary guidelines.”
All Americans could benefit from more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low fat meats, less sodium, he said.
Concannon said he hopes that the farm bill will require all stores that take SNAP benefits to sell fruits and vegetables. About 82 percent of benefits are redeemed in grocery stores, but 18 percent are redeemed in smaller establishments that do not always sell a wide range of healthy food.
Rules already require stores that are authorized to redeem benefits under the Special Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) to offer healthy foods and the result has been positive, Concannon said.
He pointed out that USDA has been conducting a pilot project to provide incentives to SNAP participants in western Massachusetts to encourage them to buy more fruits and vegetables and will be releasing the results of that study in May.
