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The Effects of Energy Price Shocks on Household Food Security in Low-Income Households

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  • Tuttle, Charlotte
  • Beatty, Timothy K. M.

Abstract

Unexpected changes in energy prices, including prices for gasoline and heating fuel (natural gas and electricity), can affect three indicators of food distress, or food access at the household level. This study uses data from the Current Population Survey Food Security Supplement and the U.S. Energy Information Administration to examine the effects of unexpected changes in energy prices on household food security. Findings reveal that an unexpected rise in the prices of gasoline, natural gas, and electricity increases the probability of food access problems, while an unexpected drop in the price of each energy source decreases the probability. The overall estimates from the analysis are small, but the effects of energy price shocks increase in magnitude for low-income households. This effect suggests that low-income households are more vulnerable to unexpected jumps in energy prices than households with higher incomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Tuttle, Charlotte & Beatty, Timothy K. M., 2017. "The Effects of Energy Price Shocks on Household Food Security in Low-Income Households," Economic Research Report 260484, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:uersrr:260484
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.260484
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    Cited by:

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    2. Bekithemba Qeqe & Forget Kapingura & Bahle Mgxekwa, 2022. "The Relationship between Electricity Prices and Household Welfare in South Africa," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-15, October.
    3. Fry, Jane M. & Farrell, Lisa & Temple, Jeromey B., 2023. "Energy poverty and food insecurity: Is there an energy or food trade-off among low-income Australians?," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 123(C).
    4. Mehreen S. Ismail & Michele Ver Ploeg & Virginia Chomitz & Parke Wilde, 2024. "Examining the role of the excess shelter deduction in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefit formula," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 46(1), pages 300-317, March.
    5. Kearns, Ade & Whitley, Elise & Curl, Angela, 2019. "Occupant behaviour as a fourth driver of fuel poverty (aka warmth & energy deprivation)," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 129(C), pages 1143-1155.

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    Keywords

    Consumer/Household Economics; Food Security and Poverty; Health Economics and Policy; Resource /Energy Economics and Policy;
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