Researchers studied what happened when low-income families in Massachusetts received extra money each month to buy food. Over nine months, some families got up to $400 monthly while others didn’t. The families who received the money ate more food overall and chose healthier options like fruits, vegetables, and meat. This shows that giving money directly to struggling families can help them eat better and get the nutrition their bodies need.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether giving low-income families extra cash each month would help them buy and eat healthier food
  • Who participated: 1,460 people from Chelsea, Massachusetts—mostly Latino families struggling to afford enough food. About 86% didn’t have reliable access to enough food before the study started
  • Key finding: Families who received $400 monthly ate about 146 more calories per day and ate more fruits, vegetables, and unprocessed meat compared to families who didn’t receive the money
  • What it means for you: Direct cash assistance may help food-insecure families improve their nutrition. However, this was one study in one community, so results may differ in other places or situations

The Research Details

This was a randomized controlled trial, which is considered one of the strongest types of research. Researchers randomly selected which families would receive the cash payments and which wouldn’t—like flipping a coin to decide. This helps ensure the groups were similar at the start, so any differences afterward are likely due to the cash payments.

The study took place during COVID-19 in Chelsea, Massachusetts, through a program called ‘Chelsea Eats.’ Families selected by lottery received up to $400 per month for nine months. After 4-6 months, researchers asked both groups (those who got money and those who didn’t) to describe everything they ate in the previous day. This gave researchers a clear picture of what people were actually eating.

Using a lottery system to randomly assign who gets the money is important because it removes bias. It helps researchers compare apples to apples—two similar groups where the only major difference is whether they received cash. This makes it much more likely that any differences in eating habits are actually caused by the money, not by other factors

This study has several strengths: it used random assignment, had a large number of participants (1,460 people), and was published in a respected scientific journal. The main limitation is that it only looked at one community in Massachusetts, so results might be different in other areas. Also, researchers only measured what people ate once during the study, so they couldn’t track changes over time

What the Results Show

The families who received cash payments ate significantly more food overall. On average, they consumed 146 additional calories per day compared to families who didn’t receive payments. While this might sound small, it adds up to meaningful nutrition over time.

Beyond just eating more, the families with cash payments chose healthier foods. They ate more fruits (about 0.17 cup more per day), more vegetables (about 0.14 cup more per day), and more unprocessed meat like chicken and beef (about 0.54 ounces more per day). These are all nutrient-dense foods that provide important vitamins and minerals.

The control group—families who didn’t receive cash—was eating only about 1,351 calories per day on average. This is far below the recommended 2,060 calories daily for adults. This shows how serious food insecurity is in this community. The cash payments helped narrow this gap, though families still weren’t quite reaching recommended intake levels.

The study showed that the impact was consistent across the community. The benefits weren’t just for one type of family—the improvements in diet quality and quantity appeared across different household types. This suggests the cash transfers were broadly helpful rather than working for only certain groups

Previous research on cash assistance programs has mostly been done in low-income countries, where results showed improved nutrition. This study is important because it’s one of the first to carefully test whether direct cash payments help with nutrition in a wealthy country like the United States. The findings align with what researchers expected based on earlier studies, but confirm it works in the American context too

The study only measured eating habits once, so researchers couldn’t see if improvements continued or changed over time. The study was also limited to one community in Massachusetts with a specific population (mostly Latino families), so results might be different in other cities or communities. Additionally, researchers relied on people remembering and accurately reporting what they ate, which can sometimes be inaccurate. The study also couldn’t determine exactly why the cash helped—was it simply having more money, or did the program’s messaging about healthy eating also play a role?

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, providing regular cash payments to food-insecure families appears to be an effective way to improve nutrition (moderate confidence level). The evidence suggests this approach could be considered as a policy tool to address food insecurity and malnutrition in low-income communities

This research is most relevant to policymakers, government officials, and organizations working to reduce hunger and improve public health. Families experiencing food insecurity may find this encouraging, as it suggests direct assistance programs can make a real difference. Healthcare providers working with low-income patients should be aware of these findings

In this study, improvements in diet were measured after 4-6 months of receiving payments. It’s realistic to expect that families would see changes in their eating habits within a few months of receiving consistent cash assistance, though individual results may vary

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily fruit and vegetable servings consumed, aiming to increase by at least one serving per day. Users can log cups of fruits and vegetables eaten to monitor progress toward recommended daily amounts
  • If users have access to cash assistance or increased food budget, use the app to plan meals that include affordable fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins. Set a daily calorie goal based on individual needs and track progress toward meeting nutritional recommendations
  • Weekly check-ins on diet quality metrics: number of days meeting fruit recommendations, vegetable servings, and lean protein intake. Compare monthly trends to identify patterns and celebrate improvements in eating habits

This research shows that cash payments may help improve nutrition in food-insecure communities, but it represents findings from one study in one location. Individual results may vary based on personal circumstances, location, and other factors. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical or nutritional advice. Anyone with specific health concerns or dietary needs should consult with a healthcare provider or registered dietitian. Policy decisions should consider this research alongside other evidence and community input.