TFP 2021 (3.77 MB)
At the direction of Congress, the USDA Food and Nutrition Service re-evaluated the Thrifty Food Plan, or TFP, in 2021 to ensure it reflects the price of a practical, cost-effective, nutritious diet in today’s current conditions. Congress gave USDA specific direction to re-evaluate the TFP based on four data points: current food prices, consumption patterns, food composition data and the latest dietary guidance. USDA used the same mathematical model used in each of the previous re-evaluations, only making changes if there was clear and convincing evidence to do so.
The Thrifty Food Plan, 2021 report (below) and accompanying online supplement (.xlsx) provide transparency regarding the analyses, technical details, and considerations of the re-evaluation. The report details each of the changes made and the reasons why. The online supplement contains all additional data and information necessary to replicate the analyses and reproduce the model.
By law, the cost of the June TFP is used to calculate maximum benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP, beginning October 1st each year. Learn more about SNAP and the TFP on our website.