Briefly
Mark Prell is a senior economist in the Food Assistance Branch of ERS’s Food Economics Division at USDA’s Economic Research Service. The work of the branch covers four themes: (1) USDA food assistance programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program); the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); and the school meals programs (the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs); (2) food security, including its measurement, and the determinants and consequences of its counterpart, food insecurity; (3) the statistical use of administrative records and linked data to promote research; and (4) food access. Prell’s work has focused on the food assistance programs and promoting the statistical use of administrative and linked data. Mark serves as a co-chair of the Federal Committee on Statistical Methodology, which the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) created to inform and advise OMB and heads of statistical agencies on methodological and statistical issues that affect the quality of Federal data.
Background
Mark served in various roles at ERS between 1999 and the present. Mark served as an assistant deputy director for the Food Assistance and Nutrition Research Program in the Food Economics Division from 1999 to 2003, and as chief of the Food Assistance Branch from 2003 to 2010. Mark served as the acting branch chief between 2019 and 2021, first for the Food Assistance Branch and then for the Diet, Safety, and Health Economics Branch. Prior to joining ERS, he taught economics at both the undergraduate and graduate levels for a dozen years. For 5 years, Mark was co-owner and manager of Global Awards, Inc., a family-owned company that provided regalia for college graduations, depicting the national colors and symbols of each country.
Selected Publications
Dworak-Fisher, K., Mirel, L., Parker, J., Popham, J., Prell, M., Schmitt, R., Seastrom, M., & Young, L. (2020.) A framework for data quality (FCSM 20–4). Federal Committee on Statistical Methodology.
Prell, M., Chapman, C., Adeshiyan, S., Fixler, D., Garin, T., Mirel, L., & Phipps, P. (2019.) Transparent reporting for integrated data quality: Practices of seven Federal statistical agencies (FCSM 19–01). Federal Committee on Statistical Methodology.
Nord, M., & Prell, M. (2011). Food security improved following the 2009 ARRA increase in SNAP Benefits (ERR–116). U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
Oliveira, V., Prell, M., Smallwood, D., & Frazão, E. (2001). Infant formula prices and availability: Final report to congress (EFAN-02-001). U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
