FNS Documents & Resources

This guidance provides resources that state agencies may use when considering next steps and set forth instructions for submitting state plan amendments that involve operational changes such as electronic solution proposals and/or WIC FMNP waiver requests.

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. 

This information collection is requesting a revision in the burden hours due to program changes resulting from FMNP state agencies transitioning from paper coupon systems to electronic benefit systems, as well as one existing requirement that has been in use without PRA approval. 

This letter provides information to WIC state agencies and WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program state agencies on available American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 waivers and a new state agency request process.

Since FY 2022, FNS has awarded over $9 million in grants to 37 State agencies to support WIC FMNP eSolutions.

USDA has legislative authority to grant waivers to WIC and FMNP state agencies. The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 grants temporary waiver authority to WIC and WIC FMNP for the purpose of outreach, modernization, and innovation and The Access to Baby Formula Act of 2022 grants permanent waiver authority to WIC during certain emergencies and supply chain disruptions. This information collection request covers activities associated with the waiver request process.

​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.

These files contain WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program profile data by fiscal year. 

This memorandum provides the total funding amount available to FNS to distribute to state agencies, which is $252.6 million for FY 2024. This includes $219.6 million in new funds available under Section 19 of the National School Lunch Act, which is the prior year base amount adjusted for inflation, and an additional $33 million in unexpired carryover funds from previous years.