The Food Plans represent a nutritious diet at four different cost levels. The nutritional bases of the Food Plans are the 1997-2005 Dietary Reference Intakes, 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and 2005 MyPyramid food intake recommendations. In addition to cost, differences among plans are in specific foods and quantities of foods. Another basis of the Food Plans is that all meals and snacks are prepared at home. For specific foods and quantities of foods in the Food Plans, see Thrifty Food Plan, 2006 (2007) and The Low-Cost, Moderate-Cost, and Liberal Food Plans, 2007 (2007). All four Food Plans are based on 2001-02 data and updated to current dollars by using the Consumer Price Index for specific food items.
The following review tools are provided as a convenience to FNS regional office and state agency reviewers for use with “Conducting Program Access Reviews at Local Food Stamp Offices: A Guide for FNS Regional Offices, For Adaptation by State Agencies.”
This guidance, which updates the original August 2000 guidance, is provided to assist FNS regional offices in conducting PARs. It is intended that state agencies will adapt this guidance when monitoring the program access portion of the ME reviews of their food stamp project areas (or counties).