Using FoodAPS for Research in Diet, Health, Nutrition, and Food Security

USDA's National Household Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey (FoodAPS) is the first nationally representative survey of American households to collect unique and comprehensive data about household food purchases and acquisitions. In this data, detailed information was collected about foods purchased or otherwise acquired for consumption at home and away from home, including foods acquired through food and nutrition assistance programs. The survey includes nationally representative data from 4,826 households, including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) households, low-income households not participating in SNAP, and higher income households.

To build a wider stakeholder base in the economics research community and to increase FoodAPS-based economics research, ERS is funding a suite of competitive grants -- to be chosen and administered by the NBER -- that use FoodAPS. This research will analyze interactions between food program participation, food demand, nutrition, and food security, and influence of local food environments on consumer food choice behaviors, among other themes.