Appendix AL.1. NASS Comments

Appendix AL.1: NASS Comments

Review of OMB Documentation for Evaluation of the Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentives

January 29, 2016

Reviewed By: Sarah Goodale, NASS Summary, Estimation, and Disclosure Methodology Branch

Part A. Justification

No comments on this section of the document.

Part B. Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods

Part 1: Respondent Universe and Sampling Methods

There appears to be three separate places that the information for the study will be obtained from. The first is from the SNAP participants, the second are the FINI Grantees, and the third are the retail outlets.

The universe for the areas in which the data are to be collected seems defined. However, it is unclear where all the data will be obtained. For the SNAP participants will the data be coming just from the administrative data files from the state agencies? For the grantees and the outlets where is all the data to be included in the sample going to be obtained from?

The sample is to be divided into 6 clusters, 4 called intervention clusters and 2 comparison clusters. These clusters are divided based on the outlet and then for the intervention cluster further divided by the dollar incentive match.

The cluster division is talked about how it will apply to the SNAP participants but not with the grantees and outlet. Will the same sample design be applied to all the separate areas in which the data will be collected? The specific sampling methods used to select the samples should be included in the documentation as well.

It is not discussed how the sampling frame for the SNAP participants will be placed into the 6 clusters. The clusters in which the study is divided into is based on the business while the participants will be people/households. In a specific area/neighborhood isn’t there the possibility of the different cluster businesses in the same area of the participants? In other words couldn’t a SNAP participant shop at a farmers market as well as a grocery store?

Part 2: Procedures for the Collection of Information

The sample size and the justifications look good to me to achieve the sampling goal. The documentation shows the overall sample size needed as well as that needed per cluster to account for the response rate and eligibility rate. The sample size justification provided in the documentation only applies to the SNAP participants.

It appears that all grantees and outlets will be included in the scope of the study.

The sampling weights and nonresponse adjustment appear appropriate.

Part 3: Methods to Maximize Response Rates and to Deal with the Issues of Nonresponse

This section appears good.

Part 4: Test of Procedures or Methods to be Undertaken

This section appears good.

Additional Comments:

There is no estimation methodology attached in the documentation.