This page provides a list of all studies currently, or soon to be, collecting data. For completed studies and their results, please visit Research and Analysis. For study related questions, please contact us at FNSstudies@usda.gov.
SNAP Studies
- Food Security Status and Well-Being of Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP) Participants in Puerto Rico
Data Collection Year: Ongoing in 2023
Contractor: Westat InsightThe Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act, 2019 (PL 116-20) provided funding to conduct an independent study in Puerto Rico to assess the impact of the additional benefits provided to participants in Puerto Rico’s Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP) in the wake of Hurricane Maria. This study will measure food security, health status and well-being among NAP participants at a point in time after the extra disaster benefits were provided. However, there are limitations with a retroactive analysis in attributing any causal impacts to the additional benefits.
- Understanding Risk Assessment in SNAP Payment Accuracy
Data Collection Year: Anticipated in 2024
Contractor: Westat InsightSNAP state agencies develop their own algorithms to identify which cases might be a greater risk for payment error. Some states develop their methodologies in-house and others work with contractors to do this. This study would survey all 53 state agencies to understand their differing approaches to risk assessment and identify which household characteristics states associate with payment error. The study will also collect additional data from up to six states to provide a greater understanding of the best ways to approach and utilize risk assessment.
Child Nutrition Studies
- School Food Authority Survey IV on Supply Chain Disruption and Student Participation
Data Collection Year: SY 2024-25
Contractor: None
Status: Survey collection is currently underway and will be active through March 10, 2025. Respondents include SFAs operating the child nutrition programs in all U.S. states and territories.The SFA survey on supply chain disruption is the fourth survey in an annual series. The objective is to collect timely data on continuing or emerging school food service operational challenges, including but not limited to supply chain disruptions, food costs, and labor shortages. Access to a timely and reliable source of data on these topics was particularly important following the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the end of the pandemic, continued collection of data allows FNS to compare data from year to year and use this information to support programs and respond more quickly and effectively to future disruptions. Results from last year’s 2023-24 survey are available in our report or interactive dashboard. The OMB control number for this information collection is 0584-0689.
- National School Foods Study
Data Collection Year: School year 2024-25.
Contractor: Mathematica (subcontractors: DIR, ProTeam Advisors)
Status: State agency and SFA recruitment began in August 2024 with efforts now fully underway. Data collection will take place throughout SY 2024-25, with the in-person collection taking place in spring 2024. Respondents include states, SFAs, principals, school nutrition managers, parents, and students.This will be the newest contribution to two ongoing study series (the School Nutrition and Meal Cost Study and the School Food Purchase Study) that examine school meals topics such as nutritional quality of meals, meal costs, student participation, plate waste, and school food purchase practices, as well as an updated evaluation of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) and analyses specific to healthy school meals for all and CEP participation. The study will include all 50 states, Washington, DC, Guam, US Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. The OMB Control Number is 0584-0698; the complete ICR can be found here: View Information Collection Request (ICR) Package (reginfo.gov)
- School Food Preparation Study
Data Collection Year: 2024-25.
Contractor: Applied Curiosity Research
Status: Data collection will continue through spring 2025.Due to increasing interest in serving more local and scratch-cooked foods in school meals, this project will help FNS understand SFAs’ food preparation methods and how they incorporate fresh food preparation into their operations. Case study data will be collected from a diverse set of SFAs during school year 2024-25. Data will be collected through questionnaires, in-depth interviews, document reviews, and, in some SFAs, site visits.
WIC Studies
- WIC Feeding My Baby Study
WIC Infant and Toddler Feeding Practices II
Anticipated Data Collection Year: 2013-2023
Contractor: WestatThe “Feeding My Baby Study,” a longitudinal study that began data collection in fall 2013, provides a rare opportunity to examine critical policy questions about WIC and its participants. The data collection currently follows a national sample of children who began WIC participation at birth, including those who left the program, and collects 24-hour dietary recalls and data on feeding practices. The Feeding My Baby Study is currently following children through the age of 9 years, and the 9-year follow-up data collection is slated to occur in 2022-2023.
- WIC Cash Value Benefit (CVB) Redemption Study
Redemption of WIC Cash Value Voucher/Cash Value Benefit (CVV/CVB)
Anticipated Data Collection Year: 2022
Contractor: Insight Policy ResearchIn 2009, the WIC program introduced CVV/CVB for the purchase of fruits and vegetables for participating women and children. Despite the popularity of this added benefit provided as part of the revised WIC food package, it has been underutilized. A study conducted in 3 states showed that while 73% of CVV/CVB benefits were redeemed, only about 37% were fully redeemed (Phillips, Bell, Morgan and Pooler, 2014). In 2021, Congress approved several provisions allowing USDA to temporarily increase the CVV/B amounts for certain food packages. These increased CVB amounts may reduce barriers to full utilization of the benefit. The temporary CVB increase offers a unique opportunity to test whether CVB redemption rates changed after implementation and whether certain state policy and participant-level factors impacted these rate changes. This study will identify factors associated with the under redemption of WIC CVV/CVB and possible solutions for improving redemption and utilization rates. Findings will enhance guidance to states on increasing utilization of the benefits.
- WIC Nutrition Assessment and Tailoring Study (WIC NATS)
Process and Use of WIC Nutrition Risk Assessment
Anticipated Data Collection Year: 2021-2022
Contractor: WestatWomen and children enrolling in WIC undergo a nutrition risk assessment that includes the collection of dietary, anthropometric and health information. The goal of the assessment is to identify nutritional risks and enhance the service and support provided by WIC in order to improve the health and development of program participants. This project will use qualitative and quantitative methods to examine how local WIC agencies use nutrition risk assessment information to deliver program benefits, including the tailoring of food packages and nutrition education, and how the process used is associated with dietary and health outcomes, the clinic experience and retention in WIC. Data will be collected on nutrition assessments that occur in-person at a WIC clinic and those that happen remotely (e.g., by telephone). The findings of this study will be used to develop guidance for WIC staff to enhance service delivery that improves program retention and the nutrition and health of women and children who participate in WIC. Study data will also allow for comparisons between in-person and remote WIC nutrition services.
- WIC Participant and Program Characteristics 2022
Anticipated Data Collection Year: 2022
Contractor: Insight Policy ResearchSince 1988, FNS has produced biennial reports on WIC participant and program characteristics (PC). The WIC Participant and Program Characteristics Study 2022 (WIC PC22) will summarize demographic, income and health-related characteristics and behaviors of all WIC participants in the 89 state agencies enrolled as of April of 2022 as well as the benefits they receive through WIC. WIC PC findings are used to estimate budgets, submit civil rights reporting and identify research needs. Two reports will be published from the study: the WIC Participant and Program Characteristics 2020 Report and the 2022 Food Packages and Costs Report.
Other FNS Studies
- FDPIR Quick Response Survey (QRS)
Barriers for the underserved in accessing the FDPIR program
Anticipated Data Collection Year: 2022
Contractor: Ken ConsultingIn 2020, Congress directed USDA to conduct a study on the challenges that the FDPIR program and other USDA food distribution programs face in reaching underserved populations, with an emphasis on the homebound and elderly. This study will conduct a Quick Response Survey (QRS) of FDPIR program operators to better understand challenges in reaching underserved individuals who are eligible for FDPIR, strategies and flexibilities employed by agencies in reaching the underserved and recommendations for program improvement. Findings from this study will be summarized in a brief for Congress.