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Resource | Research, Analysis & Background | Assessing/Improving Operations How States Safeguard USDA's SNAP Participants' Personally Identifiable Information

All applicants and participants in SNAP are required to submit personally identifiable information for verification before receiving benefits. To better understand the evolving landscape of data security, USDA conducted this study to evaluate how state agencies protect PII of SNAP recipients and compiled best practices for maintaining data security of program.

04/04/2023
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 | Assessing/Improving Operations White Paper on the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) is a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program that for three decades has helped supplement the diets of low-income Americans, including seniors, by providing them with emergency food and nutrition assistance at no cost. This white paper explains the program and describes some of its key results.

08/02/2013
Resource | Research Addressing Child Hunger and Obesity in Indian Country: Report to Congress Summary

This report responds to the requirement found in section 141 of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (HHFKA) and summarizes hunger, obesity, and Type II diabetes among American Indian (AI) and Alaska Native (AN) children living on or near reservations or other tribal lands (often referred to as Indian Country).

02/15/2012
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 | Research | Food Security Household Food Security in the United States, 1995-97: Technical Issues and Statistical Report

This is the final report for the project, "Analysis of the Current Population Survey Data for Food Security and Hunger Measurement" conducted by Mathematica Policy Research, Inc. 

12/01/2001
Page updated: October 14, 2021