Did Increases in SNAP Benefits From the Emergency Allotments and Thrifty Food Plan Modernization Shift Grocery Purchase Quality in North Carolina?

Abstract

Introduction: The federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) seeks to improve food and nutritional security, but prepandemic evidence suggests that benefit amounts are insufficient. Pandemic-related emergency allotments and Thrifty Food Plan Modernization increased SNAP benefit amounts. This study uses transaction data from shoppers at a large supermarket chain in North Carolina to understand whether these changes were associated with shifts in grocery food purchase composition.

Methods: Data were collected from October 2019 to February 2022 and analyzed from October to November 2023. A difference-in-differences approach was applied to assess purchase changes among a matched panel of SNAP and non-SNAP shoppers before and after the emergency allotments and Thrifty Food Plan Modernization and compared with the prepandemic period.

Results: Higher increases in fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, and other nonprocessed foods and beverages purchases were observed among SNAP shoppers (than among nonSNAP shoppers) after the implementation of both the emergency allotments and Thrifty Food Plan Modernization. Decreases in sugar-sweetened beverages purchased and sugar from purchases after the emergency allotments were also observed. Purchase improvements were more notable when both emergency allotments and Thrifty Food Plan Modernization benefits were applied.

Conclusions: Even modest SNAP benefit increases were associated with purchase changes, suggesting that benefit amounts have a key role in improving purchase composition. With the expiration of emergency allotments in 2023 and upcoming debates around the SNAP, understanding the implications of benefit adequacy on food purchasing remains critical for policy planning. These findings provide timely evidence on how SNAP enhancements may improve nutritional quality, underscoring the need to sustain or expand benefit levels to support healthy eating among low-income households.