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Resource | Research | Assessing/Improving Operations Using American Community Survey Data to Expand Access to School Meals Programs

This is a report of the National Academies' National Research Council, Committee on National Statistics (CNSTAT), which was commissioned by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service. It is available here by permission. It may also be obtained through the National Research Council's website. This is the final version of the report. An earlier, prepublication version was made available in May 2012, but should no longer be used. This final version includes some important corrections.

12/19/2012
Resource | Research | Payment Accuracy and Program Integrity CACFP Assessment of Sponsor Tiering Determinations 2011

This is the seventh wave of a program assessment of the family daycare homes in the CACFP, 2011. The assessment provides a national estimate of the share of CACFP-participating family daycare homes that are approved for an incorrect level of per meal reimbursement, or reimbursement "tier," for their circumstances. 

12/19/2012
Resource | Research | Food/Nutrient Analysis School Nutrition Dietary Assessment Study IV

This report summarizes findings from the fourth School Nutrition Dietary Assessment Study, which collected data from nationally representative samples of school districts and schools in school year 2009-10. 

12/12/2012
Resource | Research | Payment Accuracy and Program Integrity Direct Certification in the National School Lunch Program: State Implementation Progress SY 2011-12: Report to Congress

Student eligibility for free meals is determined by application or by direct certification. Although direct certification systems vary by State and LEA, all such systems are designed to eliminate the need for paper applications. Effective in SY 2011-12, LEAs must conduct direct certification three times per year: once at or around the start of the school year, and again three and six months after that initial effort. All direct certification systems now match student enrollment lists against SNAP agency records and the records of other assistance agencies whose participants are categorically eligible for free meals. The matching process, whether automated or manual, requires no action by the children’s parents or guardians.

10/01/2012
Resource | Data The School Day Just Got Healthier - School Meals Summary

The School Day Just Got Healthier - School Meals Summary

09/28/2012
Resource | Research | Assessing/Improving Operations School Food Purchase Study-III: Nutritional Characteristics of School Food Acquisitions

The most recent School Food Purchase Study provides national estimates of the types, amounts, and costs of foods acquired by public school districts participating in the National School Lunch Program during school year 2009/10. It also includes a comprehensive analysis of the nutritional characteristics of foods acquired by these school districts. This report presents findings about the calories, nutrients, and food groups available for use in school meals and other school food programs, including a la carte foods, and the extent to which school food acquisitions are consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and associated food guidance system.

07/01/2012
Resource | Research, Analysis & Background Letter to Gregory Walton, FNS Grants Officer
04/27/2012
Resource | Research | Payment Accuracy and Program Integrity Modeling of High-Risk Indicators of Certification Error in the National School Lunch Program

The Access, Participation, Eligibility, and Certification study found that one in five children certified for free or reduced- price meals in school year 2005-2006 was erroneously certified or incorrectly denied benefits. This study builds on APEC with three objectives: Develop an econometric model to identify indicators of local education authorities with high risk of certification error. Identify the key relationships between certification error and local characteristics. Provide a Web-based monitoring tool that will apply model parameters to annual Verification Summary Report data.

04/19/2012
Resource | Research | Assessing/Improving Operations School Food Purchase Study III

This is the third study that provides national estimates of the type, quantity, dollar value and unit price of food acquisitions by public school districts participating in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. The study examines the overall changes in the composition of the entire school food market basket including foods purchases for a la carte sales and the relative importance of donated USDA Foods. It also provides insight into the relationship between district characteristics, purchasing practices, and food costs.

04/10/2012
Resource | Research | Assessing/Improving Operations Addressing Child Hunger and Obesity in Indian Country: Report to Congress

This report responds to the requirement found in the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 and summarizes hunger, obesity, and Type II diabetes among American Indian and Alaska Native children living on or near reservations or other tribal lands. The report provides a summary of the most current available statistics on hunger, obesity, and Type II diabetes among children living in Indian Country and offers comparable statistics for the general population. It also describes how USDA federal nutrition assistance programs serve children in Indian Country and how provisions of the HHFKA and other recent initiatives may improve those services.

01/02/2012
Page updated: October 14, 2021