Nutrition education and policy interventions related to food insecurity are in our opinion critically important topics for nutrition educators. The recent changes to the Thrifty Food Plan (TFP) have the potential to impact millions of Americans.
The TFP is 1 of 4 food plans (Thrifty, Low-Cost, Moderate-Cost, and Liberal) developed by the USDA. Last updated in 2006, the TFP describes the minimum cost to achieve adequate nutritional intake per defined quantities and types of food (“market basket”) for a 4-person family of 2 adults (male and female, 20–50 years old) and 2 children (6–8 years old and 9–11 years old). This TFP describes the specific foods that families should purchase in pounds per week to be consistent with the
2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
2US Department of Health and Human Services, US Department of Agriculture
2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
The TFP is used to calculate
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, designed to provide a nutritionally adequate diet at a minimal cost for a family of 4.
The cost of TFP has remained fixed since the 1970s with adjustment for inflation. Last revised in 2006, TFP falls short of the cost for many families to afford a healthy, adequate diet.
The TFP lagged behind economic changes and is not reflective of the cost of foods necessary to meet recent dietary guidelines. Criticism of the TFP includes its inability tomeet Recommended Daily Allowancesof certain nutrients,
4Evaluation of the Thrifty Food Plan: menus based on the Thrifty Food Plan cannot assure dietary adequacy.
failure to take into consideration labor cost associated with preparing the TFP,
5The thrifty food plan is not thrifty when labor cost is considered.
and environmental factors such as the availability of low-price bulk items.
6- Jetter KM
- Adkins J
- Cortez S
- Hopper GK
- Shively V
- Styne DM.
Yes we can: eating healthy on a limited budget.
Changes to TFP became effective on October 1, 2021. This revised plan, with special federal pandemic aid, offers an increase in average monthly SNAP benefits from $121 per person (fiscal year 2019) to $240 per person (fiscal year 2021). This includes a temporary 15% increase in emergency allotments for participating states. The revised average benefit considers food inflation and reflects USDA's revised estimate to support a nutritious, practical, and cost-effective diet.
7US Department of Agriculture
Thrifty Food Plan, 2021.
The TFP allows for more convenience foods such as bagged salad and canned beans instead of dried beans, compared with the plan in effect from 2006.
7US Department of Agriculture
Thrifty Food Plan, 2021.
Recent changes in the TFP are considered a long-term investment in children and at-risk population groups, which is crucial to the health and future of the nation.
It is pertinent that the TFP is reflective of the market experience of the public.
5The thrifty food plan is not thrifty when labor cost is considered.
In 2021, SNEB President Pam Koch wrote an editorial advocating for SNEB members to participate in and support the revision of the TFP.
8Making “thrifty” go further.
Heeding this call, SNEB members have participated in the USDA stakeholder listening sessions and expressed concerns with the plan (personal communication, Elnakib, 2022). Now with a new TFP, SNEB members can continuethe conversation and support advocacyefforts that affect issues such as food security, sustainability, and equity. In our opinion, the work ahead includescreating practicaland culturally appropriate meal plans and recipe guides, as well as ongoing advocacy for a holistic approach to goodnutrition.
REFERENCES
Carlson S, Keith-Jenning B, Llobrera J. Policy brief: modernizing SNAP benefits would help millions better afford healthy food. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. https://www.cbpp.org/research/food-assistance/modernizing-snap-benefits-would-help-millions-better-afford-healthy-food. Accessed January 17, 2022.
- US Department of Health and Human Services, US Department of Agriculture
2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
US Department of Agriculture,
2005US Department of Agriculture. SNAP and the Thrifty Food Plan. https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/thriftyfoodplan. Accessed January 17, 2022.
Evaluation of the Thrifty Food Plan: menus based on the Thrifty Food Plan cannot assure dietary adequacy.
J Nutr Educ. 1979; 11: 96-98The thrifty food plan is not thrifty when labor cost is considered.
J Nutr. 2010; 140: 854-857- Jetter KM
- Adkins J
- Cortez S
- Hopper GK
- Shively V
- Styne DM.
Yes we can: eating healthy on a limited budget.
J Nutr Educ Behav. 2019; 51: 268-276- US Department of Agriculture
Thrifty Food Plan, 2021.
US Department of Agriculture,
2021Making “thrifty” go further.
J Nutr Educ Behav. 2021; 53: 277
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© 2022 Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior.
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