FNS Documents & Resources

The Food Plans represent a nutritious diet at four different cost levels. The nutritional bases of the Food Plans are the 1997-2005 Dietary Reference Intakes, 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and 2005 MyPyramid food intake recommendations. In addition to cost, differences among plans are in specific foods and quantities of foods. Another basis of the Food Plans is that all meals and snacks are prepared at home. For specific foods and quantities of foods in the Food Plans, see Thrifty Food Plan, 2006 (2007) and The Low-Cost, Moderate-Cost, and Liberal Food Plans, 2007 (2007). All four Food Plans are based on 2001-02 data and updated to current dollars by using the Consumer Price Index for specific food items.

This report describes the characteristics of SNAP households and participants nationwide in fiscal year 2010 (October 2009 through September 2010). It also presents an overview of SNAP eligibility requirements and benefit levels in fiscal year 2010. 

This policy memorandum clarifies the audit-related tracking and notification requirements for TEFAP state agencies and Eligible Recipient Agencies that further distribute or pass-through TEFAP food or funds to ERAs and are subject to audit requirements under 7 CFR Part 3052.

The purpose of this memorandum is to remind entities that the third ARRA reporting period begins on April 1, 2010, to update and summarize certain guidance that entities must use when reporting TEFAP ARRA data.

It has come to our attention that a number of states have begun using the emergency fund to develop and implement a wide range of subsidized employment efforts. In addition to the Emergency Fund program, subsidized employment may be funded under the regular TANF block grant or state Maintenance of Effort  funds.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act created or expanded many refundable tax credits to help families struggling with the economic crisis; the intent was not to make it harder for these families to become eligible for the SNAP.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 created the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund for certain veterans, or surviving spouses of veterans, who served in the military of the Government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines during World War II. 

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 created the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund for certain veterans, or surviving spouses of veterans, who served in the military of the Government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines during World War II and directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide one time payments of up to $15,000 to eligible persons.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009  created the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund for certain veterans, or surviving spouses of veterans, who served in the military of the Government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines during World War II. 

FNS held a webinar to train regional personnel to conduct reviews of data submitted by TEFAP Reporting Entities pursuant to Section 1512 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.