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Resource | 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, Analysis & Background Initial Study Plan: Thrifty Food Plan, 2026

This document provides the initial study plan for the reevaluation of the Thrifty Food Plan, 2026. This initial study plan is based on information available as of April 2023. The USDA, FNS intends to publish a final study plan by early 2026.

05/31/2023
Resource | Policy Memos Ensuring Language Access and Effective Communication In Consideration of the Unwinding of the SNAP Emergency Allotments and COVID-19- Program Flexibilities

Ensuring Language Access for Limited English Proficient Individuals and Effective Communication for Individuals with Disabilities In Consideration of the Recent Unwinding of the SNAP Emergency Allotments and Upcoming Unwinding of COVID-19- Program Flexibilities.

05/30/2023
Resource | Policy Memos Questions and Answers Related to Collection of Race and Ethnicity Data by Visual Observation and Identification in CACFP and SFSP – Policy Rescission

This memorandum provides clarification on questions related to the collection of race or ethnicity data now that visual identification of race and ethnicity is no longer an allowable practice in the Summer Food Service Program and Child and Adult Care Food Program.

CACFP 09-2022, SFSP 05-2022
06/13/2022
Resource | Research | Cost Study Expenditures on Children by Families

Expenditures on Children by Families provides estimates of the cost of raising children from birth through age 17 for major budgetary components.

03/26/2019
Resource | Research Nutrition Evidence Systematic Review

Nutrition Evidence Systematic Review, formerly the Nutrition Evidence Library, is a team of scientists from USDA’s Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion who specialize in conducting food- and nutrition-related systematic reviews.

02/05/2019
Resource | Research, Analysis & Background Health and Medicine Division Study

CNPP commissioned the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, Health and Medicine Division to conduct an independent study on the process to update the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

01/31/2019
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2017-0022 Accommodating Disabilities in the School Meal Programs: Guidance and Q&As

This question and answer memorandum is designed to provide practical guidance related to accommodating disabilities in the school meal programs, which are the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, the Special Milk Program, and the NSLP Afterschool Snacks Program.

SP26-2017
04/25/2017
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2016-0067 Modifications to Accommodate Disabilities in the School Meal Programs

This policy memorandum includes important updates to requirements related to accommodating children with disabilities participating in the school meal programs.

SP59-2016
09/27/2016
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2016-0033 Meaningful Access for Persons with Limited English Proficiency in the School Meal Programs: Guidance and Q&As

This memorandum consolidates and supersedes previous LEP guidance and incorporates previously released USDA and FNS guidance. FNS is issuing this guidance in a Q&A format to provide responses to questions that FNS has received regarding communications with LEP individuals.

SP37-2016
05/25/2016
Page updated: October 14, 2021