| Detailed Objective: In December 2007, USDA revised the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) food packages. These revisions-which must be implemented by October 1, 2009-represent the most significant changes to the WIC program since its inception in the 1970s. Changes include a more diverse set of foods and ones acceptable to a culturally diverse clientele, the addition of vouchers for fruits and vegetables, inclusion of additional whole grain foods, and restriction of milk to the lower fat types.
This study will assess the viability and suitability of using the ACNielsen Homescan data to analyze the effects of WIC on household food purchases, including the impact of the revised food packages. ACNielsen Homescan is a consumer-based survey of food purchases collected from a large, national panel of households. Survey participants use a customized electronic device in their homes to scan the barcodes of the products they purchase and to record the price, quantity purchased, date purchased, and type of store where purchased. |