Is MyPlate really Affordable? An analysis of SNAP Benefits and the actual cost of eating according to the dietary guidelines

Kranti Mulik () and Lindsey Haynes Maslow

No 235924, 2016 Annual Meeting, July 31-August 2, Boston, Massachusetts from Agricultural and Applied Economics Association

Abstract: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a vital federal food assistance program under The Farm Bill that offers benefits usable as cash for the purchase of food by lower-income individuals. For lower-income families, SNAP benefits help provide assistance to consume heathy foods. However, current benefits from SNAP are insufficient to support a healthy diet recommended by federal nutrition guidelines (MyPlate). We estimate the funds required to support a MyPlate diet and the current budgetary shortfall in the SNAP program needed for recipients to adhere to a nutritionally sound diet.

Keywords: Agricultural and Food Policy; Consumer/Household Economics; Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety; Health Economics and Policy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-agr
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ags:aaea16:235924

DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.235924

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