Printed Respondent FAQs

What is the National Household Food Study?

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is conducting this study to learn about the food and drinks U.S. households get (whether purchased or received for free), where they get them from, and what food and drinks cost in neighborhoods across the country. The USDA will use this information to design policies and programs to help meet the food needs of households in the United States.

What are the different parts of the National Household Food Study?

The study has 4 different parts, described below, that should all be completed. Participating individuals will receive an electronic gift card of their choice at the end of the study for the parts they complete.

1. Household Survey (required to begin the study)

• Completed by the person in the household who does most of the food shopping or meal planning and preparation

• Takes about 45 minutes to do and earns $40

2. Profile & Income Survey

• Completed by household members who are at least 14 years old, except the person who did the Household Survey

• Takes about 15 minutes to do and earns $5

3. Food Log

• Completed by household members who are at least 14 years old

• Takes about 15 minutes per day to do

• Earns $5 per completed day for 4 days (up to $20 total)/Earns $5 per completed day for 7 days (up to $35 total)/Earns $5 per completed day for the first three days and $10 per completed day for each of the last four days (if the first three days are completed), for up to $55 total

4. Closing Survey

• Completed by the person who did the Household Survey

• Takes about 25 minutes to do and earns $15

How much do I get for completing all parts of the study?

The person who completes the Household Survey, 4-day/7-day/7-day Food Log, and Closing Survey will earn a $75/$90/$110 electronic gift card. Each additional household member who completes the Profile & Income Survey and 4-day/7-day/7-day Food Log will earn their own $25/$40/$60 electronic gift card. If the person who completes the Household Survey completes the Profile & Income Survey and 4-day/7-day/7-day Food Log for other household members, they will earn an additional $25/$40/$60 electronic gift card per household member.

How do I complete this study?

You will complete all parts of the study using an electronic device. Completing the Food Log will be easiest using a smartphone. Qualtrics is the online reporting tool used to collect survey responses. 

Who authorizes the National Household Food Study and how will you keep my data confidential?

USDA’s Economic Research Service and Food and Nutrition Service sponsor the study (https://www.ers.usda.gov/foodaps). The research community refers to the study as the National Household Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey (FoodAPS), while we refer to the study as the National Household Food Study during data collection. The National Household Food Study is authorized under Title 7, Section 3171 and 2026 (a)(1) of the United States Code. The Census Bureau, conducting this study for the United States Department of Agriculture under 13 U.S.C. 8(b), is required by law to keep your information confidential and can use your responses for statistical purposes only (Title 13, U.S. Code, Section 9). Responding to the survey is voluntary. You may stop participating at any time, and there are no penalties for nonparticipation. Per the Federal Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2015, your data are protected from cybersecurity risks through screening of the systems that transmit your data. For more information on the Census Bureau’s Data Protection and Privacy principles, please see our data protection website at https://www.census.gov/privacy/.