overview
For USDA's food and nutrition assistance programs to be fully successful, they must not only target benefits to those who need them, but they must do so in an manner that maintains public confidence. This requires that the programs operate efficiently and that they protect public funds from waste, fraud, and abuse. The Food and Nutrition Service has primary responsibility for program operations. Many of the programs (including the Food Stamp Program, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and the child nutrition programs) deliver benefits through State and local agencies that can include welfare offices, schools, and public health clinics. ERS conducts research to help administrators, at all levels, better understand and improve the program operations and integrity. ERS also studies and evaluates food assistance program outcomes, vulnerable populations, the relationship between food assistance programs and the general economy, and food security in the United States. More overview...

features
Issues in Food Assistance—Program Targeting: Effects of Meal Reimbursement Tiering on the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)—This policy brief summarizes findings from a study of changes in USDA procedures for reimbursing child care providers for meals served under the CACFP. The changes—mandated by the 1996 welfare reform law—were intended to target benefits to lower income children. The study showed that the family child care homes component of the CACFP became substantially more focused on low-income children after tiering was introduced.

Plate Waste in School Nutrition Programs: Final Report to Congress—This Congressionally mandated study reviews existing information on the level of plate waste in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and assesses strategies to reduce it. The best national estimate available indicates that about 12 percent of calories from food served to students under the NSLP go uneaten. Although some plate waste is inevitable, introducing measures to reduce plate waste could make program operations more efficient and lower costs. Possible strategies include allowing students to select components of their meal, rescheduling lunch hours, improving the quality and condition of food, tailoring serving sizes to student appetites via self-service, and providing nutrition education.

Methods to Prevent Fraud and Abuse Among Staff and Participants in the WIC Program: Volume I, Final Report—This report identifies and assesses methods used to detect and prevent fraud and abuse among staff and participants of the WIC program. The study identifies a framework for identifying vulnerabilities and options for addressing them. The structure of the State's management information system was singled out as a particularly important factor in shaping the options for fraud prevention and detection.

recommended readings
The Food Assistance Landscape—This twice-yearly publication provides a brief overview of USDA's domestic food assistance programs. Each issue contains recent program statistics, such as expenditure, participation, and benefit levels, as well as information on related economic and social indicators, such as unemployment rates, income growth, and food price inflation. Issues also discusses recent ERS research related to food assistance.

Re-Engineering the Welfare System-A Study of Administrative Changes to the Food Stamp Program: Final Report—This report presents the findings of a survey of State food stamp administrators to determine the types of activities undertaken to "re-engineer" State Food Stamp Program operations as a result of legislative changes of the 1996 welfare reform law. The most frequently reported changes were those of client tracking, accountability, and certification systems. The next most frequently reported change was to conform FSP and Temporary Assistance to Families with Needy Children (TANF) rules.

State Use of Funds To Increase Work Slots for Food Stamp Recipients: Report to Congress—This Congressionally mandated report examines States' use of new Food Stamp Employment and Training (E&T) Program funds authorized by the 1997 Balanced Budget Act. The results show that total E&T Program spending increased, although States used less of their Federal grant allocations and more of State matching funds. The study includes specific recommendations for improving the E&T Program.

See all recommended readings…

recommended data products
Food and nutrition assistance program regulations—The Government Printing Office's (GPO) Access service provides searchable, electronic access to the current, official regulations governing the operations of USDA's food assistance programs.

FANRP Project Database—Provides details on FANRP research projects, both past and ongoing, including the project's objective, funding level, researchers, and expected completion date. See projects classified under program operations and program integrity.

County and State program funds data—ERS provides data on per capita Federal funding for all Federal programs for which we have accurate county level data, and for the various functional and object categories of Federal programs. For more information and access to the data for fiscal 1994-2000, see the Federal Funds briefing room.

recent research developments
Effects of EBT Customer Service Waivers on Food Stamp Recipients: Final Report—This report examines the effect on Food Stamp Program clients of waivers granted to some States to relax several customer service requirements of the electronic benefits transfer (EBT) system. The study showed that the customer service waivers did not affect client satisfaction with the EBT system. However, new FSP recipients in waiver States that (1) did not allow recipients select their own personal identification numbers and (2) provided EBT training by mail rather than in person had more difficulties in using the system than new recipients in nonwaiver States. Difficulties were more apparent among the elderly or disabled. As with the general client population, problems for these vulnerable groups tended to disappear as new users gained EBT experience. A third waiver that extended time for card replacement via mail showed mixed benefits for recipients, most of whom preferred to pick up the card at a food stamp office.

newsletters
Sign Up Now—Keep current on activities in the Food Assistance and Nutrition Research Program (FANRP) by subscribing to our free e-mail notification service. You will receive announcements of our latest reports and other news. You can also get the latest on other activities at ERS. To become a subscriber, please submit this short application form. Be sure to check "Food & Nutrition Assistance Programs" under Particular Topic Areas to receive information about FANRP activities.

related links
Food and Nutrition Service—Administers USDA food assistance programs. Establishes rules and regulations for State and local agencies to operate the programs and monitors the operation to ensure program quality, accountability, and integrity.

Office of the Inspector General—Investigates allegations of fraud and abuse associated with USDA programs and engages in activities to promote the operational efficiency and protect integrity of all programs. Audit reports for programs operated by the Food and Nutrition Service released since 1998 can be accessed online.

United States General Accounting Office (GAO)—GAO frequently conducts studies related to food assistance program operations and integrity. Reports released since 1997 are available online.

images gallery
County changes in per capita food stamp benefits—Map showing county-level changes in per capita food stamp benefits between 1996 and 1997.

Food and nutrition assistance programs at a glance—Charts, tables, and data on food stamps, WIC, child nutrition programs, and more.

for more information, contact: Alex Majchrowicz
web administration: webadmin@ers.usda.gov
page updated: October 19, 2004