Tag: Thrifty food plan

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) first began publishing food guidance in 1916 and has since evolved its plans to assist consumers with different budgets. These guidelines, known as the USDA food plans, provide a framework for creating nutritious meal plans at four distinct cost levels.

In fiscal year 2024, the average Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit was approximately $187.17 per person monthly. To understand how much does SNAP provide per meal, this monthly amount must be divided by the number of meals assumed per month, revealing the daily and per-meal value of this critical food assistance program.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has developed various food plans since the 1930s to help consumers understand and plan for nutritious meals. These resources define dietary guidelines at different cost levels, providing a valuable benchmark for household food spending. Understanding what are the 4 USDA food plans is crucial for budgeting and assessing meal program adequacy.