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Resource | Research and Data Child Nutrition Program Operations During the COVID-19 Pandemic - July 2021 through September 2022

This data collection fulfills states' reporting requirements and describes trends in program participation during the COVID-19 pandemic from July 2021 through September 2022. It is part of an ongoing study series examining child nutrition program operations, repurposed to collect waiver usage and trends in program participation and operations during the pandemic.

03/18/2025
Resource | Research and Data | Assessing/Improving Operations Evaluation of the SFSP Enhancement Demonstrations: 2011 Evaluation Report

The 2010 Agricultural, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Appropriations Act enabled us to initiate and carry out the Summer Food for Children demonstration projects, aimed at preventing hunger among children during summer months. 

12/03/2012
Resource | Research and Data | Assessing/Improving Operations Evaluation of the Impact of Enhancement Demonstrations on Participation in the SFSP: FY 2011

This report examines administrative data obtained from the eight states that operated the 2011 eSFSP demonstrations to assess changes within demonstration sites compared to non-demonstration sites. 

12/03/2012
Resource | Research and Data | Assessing/Improving Operations Evaluation of the 14 State Summer Pilot Project

In December 2000, FNS was authorized to conduct a pilot to increase SFSP participation in a number of states with low rates of feeding low-income children in the summer. Under the pilot, meals served by eligible sponsors in the 14 states are reimbursed at the maximum allowable rate. In addition, administrative record keeping for the pilot sponsors was reduced since they were no longer required to record administrative and operating costs separately and they did not have to report costs to state agencies.

11/20/2012
Resource | Research and Data | 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 and Data | 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 and Data | Breastfeeding Evaluation of the Birth Month Breastfeeding Changes to the WIC Food Packages

In 2006, FNS asked the Institute of Medicine to review the WIC food packages. The IOM proposed major changes to improve nutrition and encourage breastfeeding but also expressed the concern that changes related to partial breastfeeding may have unintended consequences. The IOM recommended that FNS conduct an impact study evaluating the birth month breastfeeding changes to the WIC food packages. 

01/05/2012
Resource | Research and Data | 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
Resource | Research and Data | Assessing/Improving Operations Effects of WIC: A Review of Recent Research

This report begins with an overview of the WIC program, including its administrative structure and benefits, and a detailed description of the literature search protocol used to identify the studies included.

01/02/2012
Resource | Research and Data | Impacts/Evaluations Infant Mortality Among Medicaid Newborns in Five States: The Effects of Prenatal WIC Participation

This study is the analysis of the relationship between prenatal participation in the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and infant mortality among Medicaid newborns.

05/01/1993
Page updated: July 21, 2026