The Effect of SNAP on the Composition of Purchased Foods: Evidence and Implications

A-Tier
Journal: American Economic Journal: Economic Policy
Year: 2021
Volume: 13
Issue: 3
Pages: 277-315

Score contribution per author:

1.341 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We use detailed data from a large retail panel to study the effect of participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) on the composition and nutrient content of foods purchased for at-home consumption. We find that the effect of SNAP participation is small relative to the cross-sectional variation in most of the outcomes we consider. Estimates from a model relating the composition of a household's food purchases to the household's current level of food spending imply that closing the gap in food spending between high- and low-SES households would not close the gap in summary measures of food healthfulness.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aejpol:v:13:y:2021:i:3:p:277-315
Journal Field
General
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-25