Food Spending Patterns of Low-Income Households: Will Increasing Purchasing Power Result in Healthier Food Choices?

income households can use to purchase food in grocery stores. Research shows that the program is successful in increasing the amount of food purchased and eaten by program participants, who numbered more than 26 million each month in fiscal 2006. However, the rise in obesity and diet-related chronic diseases has focused increased attention on how the program can promote not just an adequate quantity of food (that is, calories), but also healthier food choices, that bring consumption more in line with Federal dietary recommendations.