Abstract
These datasets include the Commodity Supplemental Nutrition Program Food and Nutrition Evaluation Tool (CFNET©) and the data generated using CFNET©. They are supplementary to Carolyn Providence’s Ph.D. dissertation, “A 2020-2025 dietary guidelines for Americans Proxy Food and Nutrition Evaluation of New Jersey Commodity Supplemental Food Program for Federal Fiscal Year 2024."
Dissertation abstract: The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) distributes monthly food packages to low-income elderly Americans. Although the program serves as a gateway to nutritious foods, the nutritional quality of CSFP's food packages is relatively unknown. This dissertation examined the nutritional value of the CSFP food packages in New Jersey for the federal fiscal year (FFY) 2024. The aims were to: (1) develop the Commodity Supplemental Nutrition Program Food and Nutrition Evaluation Tool (CFNET©) tool for converting CSFP food issuance data into nutrient data, (2) measure monthly nutrient delivery to CSFP participants at the only three New Jersey CSFP distribution sites in New Jersey (Community Food Bank of New Jersey (CFBNJ), Mercer Street Friends (MSF) and Fulfill, and (3) evaluate alignment with DGA guidelines for adults 51+. CFNET©, built in Microsoft Excel, used nutrient values for proxy foods from the USDA Nutrient Database to calculate the average daily nutrient intake per participant. Descriptive statistics, one-sample t-test, and ANOVA summarized the data by site and compared them with the 2020 – 2025 DGA, emphasizing several key nutrients essential for older adults, such as protein, calcium, iron, vitamins A, C, and D, fiber, magnesium, potassium, and sodium. The average energy per food package ranged from 541.96 kcal (Fulfill) to 629.45 kcal (MSF), with (CFBNJ) at 603.68 kcal. CFBNJ also provided the highest levels of protein (30.58 g), carbohydrates (90.36 g), and fiber (11.43 g). All sites fell short of DGA recommendations for vitamin D (121.33–268.42 IU), magnesium (109.65–150.98 mg), potassium (881.19–1118.17 mg), and calcium (364.65–431.30 mg). Sodium was 797.48–868.11 mg, staying well below the 2,300 mg CDRR limit. Protein provision met 66.47% of the DGA for females and 54.60% for males at CFBNJ, 54.99% (females) and 45.17% (males) at MSF, and 56.07% (females) and 46.06% (males) at Fulfill. Dietary fiber met 51.96% (females) and 40.82% (males) of the DGA at CFBNJ, but only 37.32% (females) and 29.32% (males) at MSF, and 42.88% (females) and 33.69% (males) at Fulfill. Vitamin D, magnesium, and potassium consistently fell below 35% of the DGA at all sites. This study showed that the nutritional content of CSFP food packages is determined by inventory and distribution-site choices rather than by standard nutrition policies, leading to inconsistent nutrient delivery to CSFP's low-income population. By measuring nutrient levels and identifying areas for improvement, this research advanced nutrition program evaluation and supports more effective food assistance strategies. The validated CFNET© method can benefit various federal and state programs, and the findings offered practical insights for policymakers and nutrition professionals.