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This study analyzes how agri-food Entrepreneurial Assistance Programs (EAPs) create value for entrepreneurs. Using the MSU Product Center as a unit of analysis, the effect of agri-food EAP assistance on firms’ venture evaluation, perceived legitimacy, and performance is examined. Results indicate that agri-food EAP assistance prevents untenable business ideas from launching, improves the survival of launched ventures and develops entrepreneurs’ perceived legitimacy with trading partners. Further, results imply that targeted EAPs are a viable policy approach for promoting entrepreneurial activity in the agri-food industry, and that they can be particularly well suited to assisting nascent entrepreneurs.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze households’ acquisition of healthy food away from home (FAFH) from restaurants. Specifically, determinants of households’ decision to purchase healthy FAFH, the share of households’ FAFH expenditures allocated to healthy FAFH and the share of households’ FAFH calories obtained from healthy items are identified. Design/methodology/approach Using data from the National Household Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey, the UK Food Standards Agency’s Nutrient Profiling Model is used to classify the healthfulness of households’ FAFH purchases. A double-hurdle model is estimated to identify determinants of households’ decision to purchase healthy FAFH and the share of their FAFH expenditures and calories allocated to healthy items. Findings Households’ acquisition of healthy FAFH varies with income, food assistance, FAFH purchase frequency, dieting, restaurant type, household composition, region and season. There is little difference in the impact of these factors on healthy FAFH expenditure shares vs calorie shares, suggesting that healthy FAFH expenditures proxy the contribution of healthy FAFH to a households’ diet. Practical implications Results suggest that increased availability of healthy FAFH may need to be supplemented by targeted advertising and promotions, revisions to nutrition education programs, improved nutrition information transparency and value pricing in order to improve the dietary quality of households’ FAFH acquisitions. Originality/value This study is the first to analyze household acquisition of healthy FAFH.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop a group-based food diversity index, which represents diversity in household expenditures across food subgroups. The index is compared to a product code-based index and applied to reassess determinants of food diversity demand. Design/methodology/approach A group-based food diversity index is developed by adapting the US Healthy Food Diversity Index. Using Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey data on 4,341 US households, correlation coefficients, descriptive statistics and linear regressions are estimated to compare and reassess the determinants of group and product code-based food diversity demand. Findings Results show that the group and product code indices capture different forms of food diversity. The indices are only moderately correlated and have varying means and skewness. Education, gender, age, household size, race, SNAP and food expenditures are found to significantly affect food diversity. However, the magnitude and direction of the effects vary between group and product code indices. Given these differences, it is essential that studies select a diversity index that corresponds to their objective. Results suggest that group-based indices are appropriate for informing food and nutrition policy, while product code-based indices are ideal for guiding food industry management’s decision making. Originality/value A group-based food diversity index representative of household expenditures across food subgroups is developed.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, National School Lunch Program, and School Breakfast Program are complementary, serving different nutritional needs of low‐income children. We analyze determinants of the number of nutrition assistance programs low‐income households with children participate in given multiprogram eligibility. Results obtained using Survey of Income and Program Participation data indicate households with young children, in metro areas, and with a college‐educated or married respondent participate in fewer programs given eligibility. Program factors that reduce participation stigma and transaction costs are further associated with increased take‐up.