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Data & Research

Resource | Research, Analysis & Background | Assessing/Improving Operations Summer Food Service Program Integrity Study

The Summer Food Service Program Integrity Study was designed to improve understanding of how state agencies provide oversight of the SFSP. To address the research objectives, the study examined such areas as sponsor and site selection, training and technical assistance, meal counting and claiming, and reviews. The findings, based on data collected in 2021, also offered some preliminary responses about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on SFSP operations.

08/30/2023
Resource | Research | Assessing/Improving Operations Farm to School Census and Comprehensive Review

The Farm to School Census and Comprehensive Review includes the 2019 Farm to School Census; a descriptive review of the USDA Farm to School grant program; a review of published research on farm to school since 2010; and a set of interviews with school food distributors. 

07/15/2021
Resource | Research | Demonstrations SEBTC Demonstration: Evaluation Findings for the Third Implementation Year 2013 Final Report

The evaluation examined the impact of a $30 per child per month benefit on child, adult and household food security relative to a $60 monthly benefit. It found that the $30 benefit was as effective in reducing the most severe category of food insecurity among children during the summer as the $60 benefit.

11/14/2014
Resource | Research, Analysis & Background | Assessing/Improving Operations Evaluation of the Summer Food Service Program Enhancement Demonstrations: 2011 Demonstration Evaluation Report

The 2010 Agricultural, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Appropriations Act enabled FNS to initiate and carry out the Summer Food for Children demonstration projects, aimed at preventing food insecurity and hunger among children during summer months. 

12/03/2012
Resource | Research | Assessing/Improving Operations Evaluation of the Impact of Enhancement Demonstrations on Participation in the SFSP: FY 2011

This report examines administrative data obtained from the eight states that operated the 2011 eSFSP demonstrations to assess changes within demonstration sites compared to non-demonstration sites. 

12/03/2012
Resource | Research | Assessing/Improving Operations Evaluation of the 14 State Summer Food Service Program Pilot Project

In December 2000, FNS was authorized to conduct a pilot to increase SFSP participation in a number of states with low rates of feeding low-income children in the summer. Under the pilot, meals served by eligible sponsors in the 14 states are reimbursed at the maximum allowable rate. In addition, administrative record keeping for the pilot sponsors was reduced since they were no longer required to record administrative and operating costs separately and they did not have to report costs to state agencies.

11/20/2012
Resource | Research | Assessing/Improving Operations Evaluation of the Impact of Incentives Demonstrations on Participation in the SFSP: FY 2010 Arkansas and Mississippi

Pursuant to the 2010 Agriculture Appropriations Act, FNS initiated and carried out the Summer Food for Children demonstration project, aimed at preventing food insecurity and hunger among children during summer months. 

09/02/2011
Resource | Research | Assessing/Improving Operations The Pennsylvania SFSP Rural Area Eligibility Pilot Evaluation

The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 authorized a pilot to operate in rural Pennsylvania during the summers of 2005 and 2006. The purpose was to test whether lowering the site eligibility threshold from 50 percent to 40 percent would increase the number of children participating in the program. 

02/28/2008
Resource | Research | Assessing/Improving Operations Report to Congress: USDA's Simplified Summer Food Program 2001-2006

The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 required that the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) evaluate the impact of Simplified Summer which now operates in 26 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

05/01/2007
Resource | Research | Assessing/Improving Operations Analysis of Summer Food Service Program and Food Needs of Nonparticipating Children

The Analysis of the Summer Food Service Program and Food Needs of Non-participating Children was designed to determine why children who attended elementary school during the 2003-2004 school year and were eligible for free or reduced-price meals did not participate in SFSP. For the purposes of this report, children who are eligible for free or reduced-priced meals will be referred to as "SFSP-eligible children." 

02/01/2006
Page updated: January 12, 2024