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Resource | Research Increasing Fruit and Vegetable Consumption through the USDA Nutrition Assistance Programs

This report summarizes the actions and initiatives implemented since 2002 to increase fruit and vegetable consumption among participants in the nutrition assistance programs. The following areas addressed are policy, guidance, and initiatives, programs, nutrition education and promotion, collaboration and coordination, grants, reports, and emerging initiatives and resources.

01/01/2008
Resource | Research | Nutrition Education Nutrition Education: Principles of Sound Impact Evaluation

FNS is frequently asked, by a variety of nutrition education partners, how it defines a sound impact evaluation. The principles introduced here describe the characteristics of strong impact assessments of nutrition education. They are also consistent with the Government and Performance Results Act and the Office of Management and Budget’s guidance for clear demonstration of program effects.

09/13/2005
Resource | Research | Food Security Obesity, Poverty, and Participation in Nutrition Assistance Programs

The national nutrition safety net consists of 15 programs that provide millions of low-income Americans access to a healthy and nutritious diet. It has been observed that many low-income individuals are both overweight and participants in one or more nutrition assistance programs. This has led some to question whether participation in the nutrition assistance programs contributes to the growing problem of overweight and obesity. This report presents the conclusions of an expert panel convened by the Food and Nutrition Service to determine if there is scientific evidence of a relationship between program participation and excess weight.

02/01/2005
Resource | Research | Nutrition Education Environmental Scan and Audience Analysis for Phase II of Eat Smart. Play Hard.

FNS launched the Eat Smart. Play Hard. campaign to promote USDA’s healthy eating and physical activity messages to children ages 2–18 and their caregivers. This campaign is an FNS agency-wide initiative and represents the latest effort by FNS to meet its strategic goal of improving the nutrition of children and low-income adults while at the same time addressing the major public health issue of the increasing prevalence of obesity among our nation’s youth. 

03/01/2003
Resource | Research | Nutrition Education Nutrition Education in FNS: A Coordinated Approach for Promoting Healthy Behaviors

This report fulfills the request from Congress in the House Appropriations Committee Report (HR 107-116), which accompanied the Agriculture Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2002.

03/13/2002
Resource | Rules CFR Correction: National School Breakfast Program Additional Menu Planning Approaches

This notice corrects Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations, parts 210 to 299.

06/25/2001
Resource | Final Rule Final Rule: National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program Additional Menu Planning Approaches

This final rule also adds a method that allows schools to use “any reasonable approach” to plan menus.

05/09/2000
Resource | Research | Nutrition Education Promoting Healthy Eating: An Investment In the Future

This report fulfills a Congressional request for the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to report on "a comprehensive, integrated approach to nutrition education as a complement to the various nutrition assistance programs." FNS reviewed its current nutrition education efforts, and consulted with a wide range of nutrition education experts and stakeholders.

12/01/1999
Resource | Research | Demonstrations Evaluation of the Nutrient Standard Menu Planning Demonstration

The National School Lunch Program operates in over 94,000 schools and institutions. More than 26 million children receive meals through the program on any given day; about half of these meals are provided free of charge. The School Breakfast Program operates in approximately two-thirds of the schools and institutions that offer the NSLP, most commonly in schools that serve large numbers of economically disadvantaged children. 

08/01/1998
Resource | Proposed Rule Proposed Rule: NSLP and SBP Additional Menu Planning Alternatives

The National School Lunch Act requires that schools that are participating in the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Programs claim reimbursements only for lunches or breakfasts which meet the nutrition standards of the National School Lunch Act, including compliance with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

05/15/1998
Page updated: October 14, 2021