Mean food spending by food stamp households peaks sharply in the first three days after benefits are received. For those who conduct major grocery shopping trips only once per month (42% of all food stamp households), mean food energy intake drops significantly by the fourth week of the month....

Indicators of household food insecurity are typically static and thus ignore a key dimension of food insecurity. An explicitly forward-looking food insecurity indicator is developed that takes into account both current dietary inadequacy and vulnerability to dietary inadequacy in the future....