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Do SNAP Recipients Get the Best Prices?

Author

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  • March, Raymond J.
  • Lyford, Conrad P.
  • Carpio, Carlos E.
  • Boonsaeng, Tullaya

Abstract

This paper examines the relationship between SNAP participation and prices paid for food items. To test this relationship, we develop an expensiveness index following the method of Aguiar and Hurst (2007) and use the FoodAPS data set. Using the ordinary least squares method and controlling for endogeneity using the Lewbel (2010) method, we found SNAP participation did not hold a statistically significant relationship with the prices paid for food items when we controlled for consumer behavior and food market variables. This indicates that SNAP participants are not systematically disadvantaged in their food purchases. Additional efforts to further educate SNAP participants of effective shopping and budgeting habits may be fruitful in helping households pay comparatively lower food prices.

Suggested Citation

  • March, Raymond J. & Lyford, Conrad P. & Carpio, Carlos E. & Boonsaeng, Tullaya, "undated". "Do SNAP Recipients Get the Best Prices?," 2016 Annual Meeting, July 31-August 2, Boston, Massachusetts 236213, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:aaea16:236213
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.236213
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    Cited by:

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    3. Acerenza, Santiago & Wich, Hannah & Bartalotti, Otavio & Kreider, Brent, 2025. "The Effect of SNAP Participation on Mental Health: Using Marginal Effects to Bound Average Effects," 2025 AAEA & WAEA Joint Annual Meeting, July 27-29, 2025, Denver, CO 360893, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    4. Pourya Valizadeh & Travis A. Smith & Michele Ver Ploeg, 2021. "Do SNAP Households Pay Different Prices throughout the Benefit Month?," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 43(3), pages 1051-1075, September.

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