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Resource | Research and Data | Assessing/Improving Operations USDA Summer Meals Study

The Summer Meals Study provides a comprehensive, nationally representative assessment of the two summer meal programs operated by USDA: the Summer Food Service Program and the National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option. It is the first national study to simultaneously examine the facilitators and barriers to program participation among participating and nonparticipating families, sponsors, and sites. This study examines the characteristics of participating and nonparticipating children, including sociodemographic characteristics, household food security status, reasons for participation or nonparticipation, and satisfaction with the meals served to children in the summer of 2018. 

10/20/2021
Resource | Research and Data | Assessing/Improving Operations Expanding Opportunities and Reducing Barriers to Work: Interim Summary Report (Evaluation of SNAP E&T Pilots)

Section 4022 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 authorized and funded the SNAP employment and training (E&T) pilots and the evaluation. The interim summary report presents short-term findings drawn from the 10 pilot-specific interim evaluation reports. The pilot-specific interim reports and issue briefs on early implementation lessons are also available.  

09/03/2021
Resource | Research and Data | Assessing/Improving Operations Direct Certification in the National School Lunch Program State Implementation Progress Report to Congress SY 2017-2018 and SY 2018-2019

This report presents information on direct certification with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for free school meals for SY 2017-2018 and SY 2018-2019.

06/22/2021
Resource | Research and Data | Participation Rates The Impact of SNAP ABAWD Time Limit Reinstatement in Nine States

This report examines the reinstatement of time limits on SNAP participation for able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) following the Great Recession. This report focuses on how reinstatement of time limits impacted ABAWD employment, annual wages, and program participation. Methods include descriptive and regressive analysis of administrative data, analysis of linked SNAP-Unemployment Insurance data, sensitivity analysis of key findings, and interviews with regional SNAP directors.

06/08/2021
Resource | Research and Data | Assessing/Improving Operations Understanding the Use of SNAP Online Applications

Currently, 46 of 53 state agencies accept online applications for SNAP benefits from new applicants, and 33 state agencies allow SNAP participants to recertify to renew their benefits online. The purpose of this study was to collect information about online application features, protocols and procedures used for processing online applications, and perceived advantages and challenges with using online applications.

05/20/2021
Resource | Research and Data | Demonstrations Healthy Incentives Pilot Interim Report

The Healthy Incentive Pilot (HIP) is being evaluated using a rigorous research design. The overall goal of the evaluation is to assess the impact of HIP on participants’ intake of fruits and vegetables. 

07/01/2013
Resource | Research and Data | Demonstrations Summer 2011 SFSP Home Delivery and Food Backpacks Demonstration Projects:

Summer 2011 SFSP Home Delivery and Food Backpacks Demonstration Projects Request for Applications and Questions and Answers

03/13/2013
Resource | Research and Data | Demonstrations Healthy Incentives Pilot Early Implementation Report

The Early Implementation Report addresses the processes involved in implementing and operating HIP, focusing on the early implementation period, from pilot inception to March 2012.

02/01/2013
Resource | Research and Data | Assessing/Improving Operations Evaluation of the Impact of Incentives Demonstrations on Participation in the SFSP: FY 2010 Arkansas and Mississippi

Pursuant to the 2010 Agriculture Appropriations Act, FNS initiated and carried out the Summer Food for Children demonstration project, aimed at preventing hunger among children during summer months. 

09/02/2011
Resource | Research and Data | Assessing/Improving Operations An Assessment of the Sustainability of Food Stamp Outreach Projects

This report documents the extent to which CFBOs and the public entities that received food stamp outreach grants in 2001 and 2002 sustained their outreach projects up to three years beyond the funding period, challenges faced in sustaining their projects, and the factors contributing to their sustainability.

06/01/2006
Page updated: September 16, 2025