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Resource | Research and Data School Meal Program Operations, School Year 2022-23

We regularly collect information about the school meal programs and how they operate from the people who know best – the state agencies that oversee the programs in each state and territory and the school food authorities that manage the programs locally in one or more schools. 

03/24/2026
Resource | Policy Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025-2030 – Promoting Real Food in Child Nutrition Programs

In this program guidance, Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke L. Rollins, strongly encourages child nutrition program operators to familiarize themselves with the key recommendations and consider how the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025-2030 can be incorporated into program meals and snacks to promote healthy outcomes and healthy families.

02/11/2026
Resource | Research and Data Food Distribution Program Tables

Food distribution program data.

12/23/2025
Resource | Research and Data Child Nutrition Tables

Child nutrition program data.

12/23/2025
Basic page Commercial Recalls Affecting Schools

The following message contains important information about two commercial recalls that may affect schools. These recalls do not involve USDA Foods.

10/06/2025
Resource | Policy Proposed Rule - Updated Staple Food Stocking Standards for Retailers in SNAP

This rule proposes to codify a new framework for determining distinct staple food varieties and accessory foods for purposes of meeting the staple food requirements for retailer participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. 

09/25/2025
Resource | Research and Data Study of Nutrition and Activity in Child Care Settings II (SNACS II)

SNACS-II studied child care providers who participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program. This study found that these providers serve healthy meals and snacks to the children in their care. Children have better overall diets on days when they are in child care than on days when they are not.
 

07/08/2025
Data Visualization
SNAP Household Characteristics Dashboard

This dashboard describes the economic and demographic characteristics of households participating in SNAP by state and over time, as well as SNAP participation rates by state and by household characteristic.

06/13/2025
Resource | Policy Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025: Effect on Child Nutrition Programs

This memorandum provides notice to child nutrition program operators regarding the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 (the 2025 Appropriations Act), March 15, 2025. This applies to state agencies administering, and local organizations operating, the USDA FNS child nutrition programs.

05/14/2025
Basic page Report Series - Benefit Redemption Patterns in SNAP

We periodically examine SNAP benefit redemption patterns related to the timing, number, and dollar amount of transactions and the rate at which households spend down and exhaust their monthly benefits. These studies also report on the number of transactions made and the share of benefits redeemed at various types of stores.  

05/13/2025
Page updated: October 14, 2021