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U.S. Food Assistance Participation and Demand for Food

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  • Okrent, Abigail

Abstract

Many U.S. policymakers have implemented or introduced price policies (e.g., taxes, subsidies) with the aim to encourage healthy eating behaviors. Many of these policies have been directed to lower income and households on food assistance as diet quality and consequently health outcomes tend to be worse for them. To evaluate ex ante food price policy proposals, a current set of price and income elasticities of demand for food for households delineated by food assistance participation and income can help policymakers predict the effects of proposed fiscal incentives to eat more healthfully and compare costs and benefits of proposed policies. This research provides timely estimates of demand for food purchased at retail establishments using the 2021-23 Circana Consumer Network Panel.

Suggested Citation

  • Okrent, Abigail, 2025. "U.S. Food Assistance Participation and Demand for Food," 2025 AAEA & WAEA Joint Annual Meeting, July 27-29, 2025, Denver, CO 360888, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:aaea25:360888
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.360888
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    References listed on IDEAS

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