Can Low-income Americans Afford to Satisfy MyPyramid Fruit and Vegetable Guidelines?

Abstract Objective To estimate the costs of satisfying MyPyramid fruit and vegetable guidelines, with a focus on whether low-income households can bear these costs. Design Descriptive analysis of the 2008 National Consumer Panel with information on the food purchases of 64,440 households across the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of nutrition education and behavior 2011-05, Vol.43 (3), p.173-179
Main Authors: Stewart, Hayden, PhD, Hyman, Jeffrey, BA, Frazão, Elizabeth, PhD, Buzby, Jean C., PhD, Carlson, Andrea, PhD
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Costs
Costs and Cost Analysis
Dietetics
Eating Habits
Food
fruit
Fruit - economics
Fruits
Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Guidelines
Health Behavior
Humans
Internal Medicine
Low Income Groups
Market prices
MyPyramid
Nutrition
Nutrition education
Nutrition Policy - economics
Nutrition Surveys
Poverty
prices
Thrifty Food Plan
United States
vegetable
Vegetables
Vegetables - economics
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Summary:Abstract Objective To estimate the costs of satisfying MyPyramid fruit and vegetable guidelines, with a focus on whether low-income households can bear these costs. Design Descriptive analysis of the 2008 National Consumer Panel with information on the food purchases of 64,440 households across the contiguous United States was used to analyze the cost of fruits and vegetables. Costs per MyPyramid cup-equivalents were calculated by accounting for cooking yields and the portion of a food item’s retail weight that is inedible. Variables Measured Costs per cup-equivalent for less expensive fruits and vegetables by MyPyramid subgroup including whole and cut fruit, fruit juice, dark green vegetables, orange vegetables, starchy vegetables, other vegetables, and legumes. Results In 2008, a variety of fruits and vegetables was available for an average cost of $0.40 to $0.50 per cup-equivalent. MyPyramid fruit and vegetable recommendations could be satisfied at this cost level. Conclusions and Implications Low-income Americans facing national average food prices can satisfy MyPyramid fruit and vegetable guidelines with a budget equal to the Thrifty Food Plan allocation to fruits and vegetables. However, many low-income households spend too much money on food that is low in fruit and vegetable content. Some money should be reallocated to fruits and vegetables.
ISSN:1499-4046
1878-2620
1708-8259
DOI:10.1016/j.jneb.2010.08.011