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Data & Research

Resource | Research | General/Other FY 2025 Research and Evaluation Plan

The USDA Food and Nutrition Service conducts a variety of studies, evaluations, and related activities that respond to the needs of policymakers and managers and help ensure that nutrition assistance programs achieve their goals effectively. This plan provides short descriptions of projects that are expected to launch in fiscal year (FY) 2025. 

It reflects decisions by FNS program and research staff and leadership on the best use of available research funding to meet current information needs that are aligned with agency priorities to improve program efficiency, integrity, and nutrition. FNS developed this plan in consultation with the agencies of the Research, Education, and Economics (REE) Mission Area. 

03/13/2024
Resource | Research, Analysis & Background | Assessing/Improving Operations Best Practices in USDA Disaster SNAP Operations and Planning

Through an examination of 5 disasters in 4 states, this study develops recommendations for best practices in planning for, implementing, and operating D-SNAP. 

12/14/2023
Resource | Research, Analysis & Background | Assessing/Improving Operations National and State Level Estimates of WIC Eligibility and Program Reach in 2021

This report, the latest in a series of annual reports on WIC eligibility, presents 2021 national and state estimates of the number of people eligible for WIC benefits and the percents of the eligible population and the US population covered by the program, including estimates by participant category.

11/03/2023
Resource | Research, Analysis & Background | Assessing/Improving Operations Results of USDA's FNS-Administered SFA Survey II on Supply Chain Disruption and Student Participation

​The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted school meal operations and has contributed to lasting supply chain issues affecting the cost and availability of food and labor. The School Food Authority Survey II on Supply Chain Disruption and Student Participation was administered to all SFAs operating child nutrition programs in schools to gather information on the impacts of continued supply chain disruptions and the return to standard operations during SY 2022–23.

07/25/2023
Resource | Research, Analysis & Background | Assessing/Improving Operations Conducting Remote WIC Certification Appointments During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The physical presence waiver, issued under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020, allowed WIC state and local agencies to remotely certify participants into WIC during the COVID-19 pandemic. This report summarizes data collected from surveys of WIC state and local agencies about the use of the physical presence waiver and the impact it had on WIC services.

04/26/2023
Resource | Research, Analysis & Background | Assessing/Improving Operations The Use and Impact of Federal Waivers During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Summary Findings From Surveys of WIC State and Local Agencies

Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020, the USDA FNS issued certain programmatic waivers to state agencies to support continued access to WIC services and provide flexibilities to some administrative requirements. This brief report summarizes findings about the use and impact of these waivers from surveys of WIC state and local agencies.

04/26/2023
Resource | Report | Promoting Healthy Eating Evaluation of the FY 2020 Healthy Fluid Milk Incentives Project

This report presents findings from the evaluation of the first Healthy Fluid Milk Incentives project. The project tested take-up of incentives delivered through coupons issued to SNAP participants when they purchased "qualifying fluid milk" with their SNAP benefits at four pilot stores in west Texas.

03/16/2023
Resource | Research, Analysis & Background | General/Other Updating Standardized State Heating and Cooling Utility Allowance Values

States may establish their own standard utility allowances. The use of SUAs, including heating and cooling SUAs for households with heating and cooling expenses, simplifies the application process for both the applicant and the state agency. The primary objectives of this study were to conduct a review of available data to determine typical costs for internet access to develop a broadband standard utility allowance; and estimate new fiscal year 2022 HCSUA values for each state.

03/10/2023
Resource | Research, Analysis & Background | General/Other Food Safety Research: Farm to School

FNS advances food safety education and practices in federal nutrition assistance programs through research conducted by the Center for Food Safety in Child Nutrition Programs (the Center). To better understand food safety concerns associated with fresh produce and farm to school activities, the Center conducted a study.

03/09/2023
Resource | Research | Breastfeeding National and State Level Estimates of WIC Eligibility and Program Reach in 2020

These graphics, the latest in a series of annual reports on WIC eligibility, present 2020 national and state estimates of the number of people eligible for WIC benefits and the percentages of the eligible population and the US population covered by the program, including estimates by participant category.

01/09/2023
Page updated: January 12, 2024