digideskio / 2015_11_food-allergy-food-insecurity-data

Alternative Food Cost Interactive Data

About

Data from Al Jazeera America's Food Allergies on a Budget story published on Nov. 22, 2015. The data were collected by Joanna S. Kao. The methodology for choosing foods and prices is explained below.

To read the story and use the interactive feature, visit Food Allergies on a Budget.

Contact

If you have any questions about the data, email us at [email protected].

What's here?

The food-alternatives-list files (same data in csv and json formats) contain the names and prices of products used in the interactive features.

Methodology for choosing products

Products and prices were selected on the basis of availability and price at the Hy-Vee where Lisa Neri, the main subject of the story, normally shops. Store and local brand products were excluded. Manufacturer prices online were used if no alternative was available at Hy-Vee. Alternative food prices are for the cheapest alternative product that does not include a selected allergen.

In cases where alternatives products were sold in different sizes, the closest size was used (e.g., the cheapest bread was sold in 16 to 24 ounce sizes, and bread alternatives were chosen within that range) or an adjusted cost was used (e.g., alternative cheese prices, which are sold in 7 to 8 ounce sizes, were adjusted to 12 ounces).