---
title: "Food Consumption Score"
slug: "food-consumption-score"
updated: 2026-05-28T12:02:52Z
published: 2026-05-28T12:02:52Z
canonical: "vamresources.manuals.wfp.org/food-consumption-score"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://vamresources.manuals.wfp.org/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Food Consumption Score

The Food Consumption Score (FCS) is the most commonly used food security indicator by WFP and partners. This indicator is a composite score based on households’ dietary diversity, food consumption frequency, and relative nutritional value of different food groups. The FCS is calculated by asking how often households consume food items from the 8 different food groups (plus condiments) during a 7-day reference period.

In addition to this, the FCS module collects data on sources of the consumed foods acquired by households. Although the information is not widely used and reported, it is useful in understanding the household’s level of self-reliance (e.g. own production or cash purchases) or dependency on outside sources (e.g. food assistance). Thus, this information should also be collected as part of the standard module.

**Available Resources**

Please find below some resources to help you collect, calculate and analyze the FCS:

**Technical Guidance Note**

Read the detailed [guidance document](https://docs.wfp.org/api/documents/WFP-0000158062/download/) for accurate implementation, data collection, and analysis steps for FCS.

**Questionnaire Modules**

Download the standard [questionnaire modules](https://docs.wfp.org/api/documents/WFP-0000166926/download/) in Word format.

**XLS Form**

Access the [XLS form](https://docs.wfp.org/api/documents/WFP-0000134782/download/) of the FCS module, designed in [WFP Survey Designer](https://surveydesigner.vam.wfp.org/). This can be converted to ODK form for consistent data collection across mobile and web platforms.

**Scripts and Sample Data**

Calculation scripts are available in the following formats:

- Standard thresholds (21- 35)
  - [SPSS](https://github.com/WFP-VAM/RAMResourcesScripts/blob/main/Indicators/Food-consumption-score/FCS%20low%20threshold.sps)
  - [STATA](https://github.com/WFP-VAM/RAMResourcesScripts/blob/main/Indicators/Food-consumption-score/FCS%20low%20threshold%20updated%20Oct%202025.do)
  - [R](https://github.com/WFP-VAM/RAMResourcesScripts/blob/main/Indicators/Food-consumption-score/FCSLowThreshold.R)
- Adjusted thresholds (28 - 42)
  - [SPSS](https://github.com/WFP-VAM/RAMResourcesScripts/blob/main/Indicators/Food-consumption-score/FCS%20high%20threshold.sps)
  - [STATA](https://github.com/WFP-VAM/RAMResourcesScripts/blob/main/Indicators/Food-consumption-score/FCS%20high%20threshold%20updated%20Oct%202025.do)
  - [R](https://github.com/WFP-VAM/RAMResourcesScripts/blob/main/Indicators/Food-consumption-score/FCSHighThreshold.R)

The [sample data](https://github.com/WFP-VAM/RAMResourcesScripts/blob/main/Static/FCS_Sample_Survey.csv) is also available on [GitHub](https://github.com/WFP-VAM/RAMResourcesScripts/tree/main/Indicators/Food-consumption-score) for training and analysis.

**Training Presentation**

A training presentation on FCS for use by enumerators and RAM staff is available in the following languages:

- [English](https://docs.wfp.org/api/documents/WFP-0000146648/download/)
- [Arabic](https://docs.wfp.org/api/documents/WFP-0000161179/download/)
- [French](https://docs.wfp.org/api/documents/WFP-0000166066/download/)

**Additional Resources**

- **Small Quantities Guideline:** Refer to the [FCS Cut-offs for Food Group Consumption](https://docs.wfp.org/api/documents/WFP-0000163694/download/) document for detailed thresholds on what qualifies as "consumed" by the household for each food group
- The [Data Quality Guidance](https://docs.wfp.org/api/documents/WFP-0000161492/download/) provides practical steps to maintain data quality across all phases of evidence generation cycle
- For more context, refer to the [CARI guidance document](https://docs.wfp.org/api/documents/WFP-0000134704/download/) and the [CRF indicator sheet](https://docs.wfp.org/api/documents/WFP-0000171255/download/), which provides detailed information about how the indicator integrates with food security analysis frameworks

For more information, please contact the Assessments and Targeting Unit in HQ VAM at [global.assessmentandtargeting@wfp.org](mailto:global.assessmentandtargeting@wfp.org).