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Resource | Research and Data A Feasibility Assessment of Alternative Approaches for Reevaluating the Thrifty Food Plan

This study is a follow-up to the 2024 Alternative Approaches to Reevaluating the Thrifty Food Plan report and implements the alternative approaches in a series of test cases to provide detailed information on the feasibility of each option.

02/17/2026
Resource | Policy Final Rule: Child Nutrition - Streamlining Plan Requirements for the Summer EBT Program and the Rural Non-Congregate Option in the Summer Food Service Program

This rule removes the Coordinated Services Plan (CSP) requirement for the Summer Food Service Program and Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children Program under the “Implementing Provisions from the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023: Establishing the Summer EBT Program and Rural Non-Congregate Option in the Summer Meal Programs” interim final rule published Dec. 29, 2023.

06/06/2025
Resource | Policy Proposed Rule - SNAP: Rescission of Changes to Civil Rights Data Collection Methods

We are proposing to rescind Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Revision of Civil Rights Data Collection Methods regulations, issued as a final rule on Dec. 14, 2023.

05/16/2025
Resource | Policy Final Rule - CACFP: Rescission of Obsolete Data Collection Requirements

This rule rescinds an obsolete data collection requirement in regulations regarding the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

05/12/2025
Resource | Research Reports Alternative Approaches to Reevaluating the Thrifty Food Plan

This report explores different approaches to reevaluating the Thrifty Food Plan, which represents a low-cost, nutritious diet comprised of foods and beverages consumed at home and is used to calculate SNAP benefit amounts. 

12/09/2024
Resource | Policy Proposed Rule - SNAP: Thrifty Food Plan Cost Adjustment for the Price of Food in Hawaii

This proposed rule would update the method for calculating the Thrifty Food Plan cost adjustment for Hawaii to incorporate food prices from throughout the state of Hawaii rather than from Honolulu alone.

12/03/2024
Resource | Research and Data Statewide Thrifty Food Plan Cost Estimate for Hawaii - 2024

The Statewide Thrifty Food Plan Cost Estimate for Hawaii report describes the process used to calculate a new Thrifty Food Plan cost estimate for Hawaii that is based on the best currently available food price data from throughout the state of Hawaii in alignment with the proposed rule. This report uses the same peer-reviewed methodology as the Thrifty Food Plan Cost Estimates for Alaska and Hawaii report, published by FNA in 2023.

10/10/2024
Resource | Research and Data Thrifty Food Plan Cost Estimates for Alaska and Hawaii

The market basket costs in the Thrifty Food Plan, 2021 apply to the contiguous 48 states and the District of Columbia. By law, the USDA must make cost adjustments to the Thrifty Food Plan to reflect the cost of food in Alaska and Hawaii. The Thrifty Food Plan Cost Estimates for Alaska and Hawaii report provides updated estimates of the June 2022 cost of the reevaluated Thrifty Food Plan in Alaska and Hawaii.

08/03/2023
Resource | Research and Data | Cost Study USDA Food Plans

USDA produces four food plans outlining practical, nutritious diets at successively higher cost levels: the Thrifty, Low-Cost, Moderate-Cost, and Liberal Food Plans. The Thrifty Food Plan serves as the basis for maximum allotments in SNAP.

08/03/2023
Resource | Research Data USDA Food Plans: Monthly Cost of Food Reports

The USDA Food Plans represent a healthy diet at four different cost levels. Each food plan specifies quantities of food and beverage categories that can be purchased and prepared to make healthy meals and snacks at home.

05/26/2023
Page updated: June 02, 2026