FNS Documents & Resources

This study is the eighth in a series of studies that examine the rate of benefit trafficking SNAP, annualized amount of benefits trafficked, and store violation rate. The estimates are presented as ‘current estimates’ that are calculated to be comparable to past studies, and as ‘updated estimates’ that are calculated to be comparable to other trafficking reports released by FNS. 

FNS conducted the Study of Nonresponse to the School Meals Application Verification Process to examine (1) the accuracy of the current verification process, (2) district practices when verifying applications for cause, and (3) the ultimate results of the verification process, including the reasons why households do not respond to verification requests and how many households reapply. 

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. 

The Child Nutrition Program Operations Study II is a multiyear study designed to provide FNS with information on current state agency and school food authority policies, practices, and needs related to school nutrition service operations, financial management, meal counting, eligibility, nutrition standards, and personnel. Results inform CN program management and policy development. 

This study identifies the barriers that SNAP participants face when trying to achieve a healthy diet through a nationally representative survey of SNAP participants.

This report presents information on direct certification with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for free school meals for SY 2017-2018 and SY 2018-2019.

In September 2016, FNS awarded Team Nutrition Training Grants to 14 state agencies that administer the USDA’s NSLP, SBP and CACFP. This TNTG cohort was different than previous cohorts because, for the first time, grantees were asked to outline a plan to evaluate some or all of the interventions they would implement with grant funding.

This report examines the reinstatement of time limits on SNAP participation for able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) following the Great Recession. This report focuses on how reinstatement of time limits impacted ABAWD employment, annual wages, and program participation. Methods include descriptive and regressive analysis of administrative data, analysis of linked SNAP-Unemployment Insurance data, sensitivity analysis of key findings, and interviews with regional SNAP directors.

Currently, 46 of 53 state agencies accept online applications for SNAP benefits from new applicants, and 33 state agencies allow SNAP participants to recertify to renew their benefits online. The purpose of this study was to collect information about online application features, protocols and procedures used for processing online applications, and perceived advantages and challenges with using online applications.

This report – part of an annual series – presents estimates of the percentage of eligible persons, by state, who participated in SNAP during an average month in FY 2018 and in the two previous fiscal years. This report also presents estimates of state participation rates for individuals in eligible “working poor” households (households with earnings) over the same period.