Determining Sociodemographic Factors Associated With Frozen Food Purchases Among U.S. Households

Background

Frozen foods can be inexpensive, easy-to-prepare options to help families meet nutritional recommendations. However, there is a dearth of data regarding the household sociodemographic variables associated with purchasing frozen foods.

Objective

Determine sociodemographic factors associated with buying frozen produce and meals using a nationally representative sample of U.S. households.

Study Design, Setting, Participants

Secondary analysis of the 2021 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey Public Use Microdata. This dataset includes detailed 2-week purchasing diaries from 6,028 randomly sampled American households.

Measurable Outcome/Analysis

Logistic regressions were performed on the compiled data using SAS 9.4 to determine relationships between select sociodemographic variables and frozen fruit, vegetable, and meal purchases.

Results

Compared to the highest income quintile, households in the lowest income quintile were about 60% less likely to purchase frozen fruits, vegetables, and meals. For each child in the household, the odds of purchasing frozen fruits and vegetables increased by 16 and 20%, respectively. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participation was associated with a higher likelihood of purchasing frozen vegetables (OR 1.27; CI 1.00-1.61; p=0.05). Certain racial and ethnic groups were less likely, when compared to Non-Hispanic White households, to purchase frozen foods. Notably, Asian households were less likely to purchase frozen vegetables (OR 0.70; CI 0.53-0.93; p=0.01), and Hispanic households were less likely to purchase frozen vegetables (OR 0.78; CI 0.63-0.97; p=0.02) or meals (OR 0.69; CI 0.51-0.93; p=0.01).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that educational programs that target low-income adults (eg, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Education and the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program) could be utilized to provide further education on including frozen produce and meals as nutritious, inexpensive, easy-to-prepare options. It may be warranted for these programs to provide culturally relevant education regarding frozen foods to certain ethnic audiences, particularly Asian and Hispanic populations. Further qualitative research could elicit cultural values and beliefs prohibiting Asian and Hispanic households from purchasing more frozen foods.

Funding

Frozen Food Foundation