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Food Assistance and Poverty: Is Food Still the Most Important Necessity?

Food Assistance and Poverty: Is Food Still the Most Important Necessity?. Helen H. Jensen Iowa State University. “Centennial” Contributions. Link between agricultural and food policies and food consumption MPC food from income/cash vs. food programs

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Food Assistance and Poverty: Is Food Still the Most Important Necessity?

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  1. Food Assistance and Poverty: Is Food Still the Most Important Necessity? Helen H. Jensen Iowa State University

  2. “Centennial” Contributions • Link between agricultural and food policies and food consumption • MPC food from income/cash vs. food programs • Food expenditures and relationship to household well-being • Mollie Orshansky and definition of poverty level income tied to food expenditures • Food expenditures represent 33% of income • Role of food programs in alleviating hunger, improving diets and reducing poverty

  3. Poverty Definition • Poverty standard is based on the level of family resources that is deemed necessary to obtain a minimally adequate standard of living defined appropriately for the United States today.” NAS, 1995 • Current (official) poverty measurement tied to estimates of food costs (Thrifty Food Plan) • Supplemental Poverty Measure, Census 2010

  4. Supplemental Poverty Measure • Minimally adequate standard of living • FCSU: food, clothing, shelter, utilities threshold • 5 year average • Look at level of 33rd percentile • Add 20% of level to include other expenses • Resources • Gross money income • Include near money from federal income benefits (SNAP, housing subsidies, WIC, school meals • Subtract income/payroll taxes, other nondiscretionary expenses (child care, work-related expenses, health insurance premiums)

  5. Looking ahead… • Concept of poverty and deprivation • Broaden definition of “adequate standard of living” • Relative standard • Tie resources to program benefits => policy link • Role of food programs (design, benefit levels) • Use of “official” measure use to determine program eligibility • Program “incentives” and “nudges” • Program/cross program linkages to food expenditures and choice • ERS data investment in new household survey • Administrative data linkages • Other targeted studies

  6. Looking ahead… • Concept of poverty and deprivation • Role of food programs (design, benefit levels) • Household resource management • Role of education (nutrition education) in improving choices across all resources • Social assistance as a system • WIC participation linked to increased ties (and use) of health care system for infants and young children • Links to food insecurity (adequacy of food) to minimally adequate standard of living • Commitment of resource use matters (heat vs. food)

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