USDA FNS "Ground Truthing" the Market Basket

"Ground Truthing" the Market Basket Used in Developing the Thrifty Food Plan The Contractor shall oversee the development of two week-long menus and associated shopping lists that align with the 2021 Thrifty Food Plan (TFP) Market Basket for a reference family of four. The menu and associated shopping list for each week shall meet the nutrient requirements of the reference family and be priced at the cost constraints of the current maximum monthly SNAP allotment for a household of four, calculated based on nationally averaged prices. The Contractor shall assemble a team of Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) to develop the menu and shopping list and to collect price data on the items on the shopping list in three sites (one rural, one urban, and one suburban) in 14 states across the US within a 30-45 day period. The menu shall also be annotated as to which items would need to be replaced for those with lactose-free or gluten-free diets. Data collection shall include the availability and price of the items on the list, including the lactose-free and gluten-free substitutions, and any challenges with acquiring the items, such as traveling to additional stores. The Contractor shall develop the data collection instruments and train data collectors. Data collectors shall be required to keep detailed notes of their shopping experience to include challenges finding menu items, the process of determining and acquiring a substitute item, etc. The Contractor shall also assemble a Technical Working Group (TWG) of experts, and facilitate the review of the menus, shopping lists, and study findings by the TWG. See attached Solicitation and Solicitation Attachments for more details.