Applying Racial Equity to U.S. Federal Nutrition Assistance Programs - Flipbook - Page 27
Currently, data is available on how many people SNAP lifted above the poverty line, disaggregated by race (with the exception
of Indigenous people and Native Hawaiians). But researchers do not know how many people improved their diets and
nutritional status as a result of SNAP.
Strengthening the collection and disaggregation of data can also help (1) identify people who are food insecure but
are not being captured by current data collection methods, (2) identify households that need additional support, and (3)
understand to what extent SNAP is making a difference in the nutritional health
of participating households.
“One key population that
One key population that is largely unrepresented in food security data is people
is largely unrepresented
who are returning from jail or prison. The research and data available show that
they are disproportionately people of color and have very high levels of food
in food security data is
insecurity. But there is no way to ensure that they receive the support they need to
people who are returning
transition back into their communities.
from jail or prison.”
Recommendation
Some of the additional data could be gathered by expanding the U.S. census data included in the USDA food insecurity
report and the American Community Survey.
• The U.S. Census should include additional questions in data collection surveys:
Do you have a criminal record? If so, are you currently on parole or probation, or has the sentence been completed?
Are you the head of household?
How many children are in this household?
Do you have a household member who is currently incarcerated, on parole, or on probation? If yes, clarify which one.
Do you have a household member who is not incarcerated, on parole, or on probation, but has an existing arrest or
conviction record?
What was the level of food insecurity before arrest, conviction, or parole hearing?
What was the level of food insecurity post release or post-parole?
What is the employment status of you or the family member with an arrest, conviction or parole record?
What is the income level of you or the family member with an arrest, conviction, or parole record?
• The U.S. Census should collect and report additional data, including:
Food insecurity disaggregated by both race and household type (e.g., female-headed households). Currently, there is
publicly available food insecurity data that is disaggregated by race or by household type, but there is no information on
how they relate to each other. There is also no data as yet that shows the intersection of race with ethnicity, or race with
criminal record status.
Nutrition level by household type, disaggregated by race, ethnicity, gender, and conviction status, before enrollment in
SNAP. Currently this data is not collected.
Nutrition level by household type, disaggregated by race, ethnicity, gender, and conviction status after enrollment in
SNAP. Currently this data is not collected.
Average food quality consumed by each currently participating household, disaggregated by race, ethnicity, gender, and
conviction status. Currently this data is not collected.
On average, the date each month when a household runs out of food, disaggregated by race, ethnicity, gender, and
conviction status. Currently this data is not collected.
Nutrition level by household type, disaggregated by race, ethnicity, gender, and conviction status post-SNAP. Currently
this data is not collected.
A BREAD FOR THE WORLD INSTITUTE SPECIAL REPORT
27
