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Resource | Research and Data | General/Other FY 2025 Research and Evaluation Plan

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. 

03/13/2024
Resource | Research and Data | Demonstrations Evaluation of the USDA Summer EBT Demonstrations: Lessons Learned From More Than a Decade of Research

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 authorized Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children (Summer EBT) as a permanent federal food assistance entitlement program beginning in summer 2024. Summer EBT has been tested through evaluations of demonstration projects since 2011. With pending implementation of this new program, this is an appropriate time to reflect on what USDA, FNS research has learned through more than a decade of study.

03/12/2024
Basic page Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer for Children (SEBTC) Demonstration Project

On Dec. 23, 2022, Congress authorized Summer EBT as a permanent, nationwide program. FNS is quickly developing more guidance on Summer EBT, and we look forward to working with our partners in states and local communities as we implement this program.

08/24/2023
Resource | Research and Data | Demonstrations SEBTC Demonstration: A Summary Report

The Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer for Children (SEBTC) demonstration distributed a monthly benefit during the summer on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) EBT cards to children eligible for free or reduced-price school meals. The first two summers (2011 and 2012) tested a $60 benefit amount. Summer 2013 compared the impacts of a $30 benefit to a $60 benefit, and summer 2014 examined implementation strategies and benefit use patterns. This comprehensive report presents results from the analysis of pooled data from all summer demonstrations.

05/11/2016
Resource | Research and Data | Demonstrations Report on the Summer Food for Children Demonstration Projects for FY 2013

This Congressional report summarizes the implementation and evaluation of two approaches tested in the summers of 2011 through 2013. 

03/31/2014
Resource | Research and Data | Demonstrations SEBTC Demonstration: Evaluation Findings for the Full Implementation Year 2012 Final Report

SEBTC demonstration offered a rigorous test of the impact of providing a monthly benefit of $60 per child - using existing electronic benefit transfer (EBT) systems - on food insecurity among children during the summer when school meals are not available.

08/02/2013
Resource | Research and Data | Demonstrations Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children (SEBTC) Demonstration: 2012 Congressional Status Report

Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children (SEBTC) Demonstration:
2012 Congressional Status Report and Appendices Contract #: AG-3198-C-11-0002

11/01/2012
Resource | Research and Data | Demonstrations Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children: Evaluation Findings for Proof-of-Concept Year

The Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children conducted its initial proof-of-concept during the summer of 2011. The SEBTC demonstration aims to mitigate summer child food insecurity by leveraging existing EBT technologies used by the WIC and SNAP programs.

11/01/2012
Resource | Research and Data Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer For Children: Early Experiences through June 2011 of the Proof-of-Concept Year

This, being the first in a series of report summaries on the results of the SEBTC demonstration, focuses largely on the early experiences of the planners and implementers from the proof-of-concept phase. 

12/15/2011
Resource | Research Reports | Demonstrations Early Implementation of Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children

Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer For Children:Early Experiences through June 2011 of the Proof-of-Concept Year Contract #: AG-3198-C-11-0002

09/21/2011
Page updated: October 14, 2021