Updated April 2010
Nutrition Programs
Overview
Although the United States has one of the most advanced food systems in the world, many Americans find it difficult to maintain a filling and nutritious diet. As a result, several federal programs have developed in an effort to assist those in need. The Food and Nutrition Service ("FNS"), a sub-agency of the United States Department of Agriculture, implements and oversees many of these programs, the primary focus of which are providing supplemental food to low-income individuals. However, in addition helping people get the food they need, there is an increasing focus on nutrition education, and helping people make decisions about the quality of the food they eat. These issues affect so many individuals that the FNS currently reports that one in five Americans are helped by nutrition programs. Most nutrition programs are targeted at a specific group of people who are deemed to face a higher risk of nutrition problems. The overview is designed to provide a brief description of the major federal nutrition programs and how they operate. Read the full overview
Note: Recently added resources are posted at the top of the applicable sections.
Major Statutes
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, H.R. Res. 1, 111th Cong. (2009)
The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, 7 U.S.C. §§ 2011 - 2036
Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973, 7 U.S.C. § 612c
Seniors Farmers' Market Nutrition Program, 7 U.S.C. § 3007
Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 1751 - 1769i
Child Nutrition Act of 1966, 42 U.S.C. §§ 1771 - 1791
School Breakfast Program, 42 U.S.C. § 1773
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, 42 U.S.C. § 1786
Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983, 7 U.S.C. 7501-7516
Regulations
General Information and Definitions, 7 C.F.R. Part 271
Requirements for Participating State Agencies, 7 C.F.R. Part 272
Certification of Eligible Households, 7 C.F.R. Part 273
Issuance and Use of Coupons, 7 C.F.R. Part 274
Participation of Retail Food Stores, Wholesale Food Concerns and Insured Financial Institutions,
7 C.F.R. Part 278
Administrative and Judicial Review - Food Retailers and Food Wholesalers, 7 C.F.R. Part 279
Administration of the Food Stamp Program on Indian Reservations, 7 C.F.R. Part 281
Appeals of Quality Control ("QC") Claims, 7 C.F.R. Part 283
Provision of a Nutrition Assistance Grant for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 7 C.F.R. Part 285
National School Lunch Program, 7 C.F.R. Part 210
School Breakfast Program (SBP), 7 C.F.R. Part 220
Summer Food Service Program, 7 C.F.R. Part 225
State Administrative Expense Funds, 7 C.F.R. Part 235
Cash in Lieu of Donated Foods, 7 C.F.R. Part 240
Determining Eligibility for Free and Reduced Price Meals and Free Milk in Schools, 7 C.F.R. Part 245
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, 7 C.F.R. Part 246
WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP), 7 C.F.R. Part 248
Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP), 7 C.F.R. Part 249
Donation of Foods for Use in the United States, Its Territories and Possessions and Areas
Under Its Jurisdiction, 7 C.F.R. Part 250
Case Law
Administrative Law Decisions
Congressional Research Service Reports
Farm Bills
Food Security/Aid
Agricultural Law Bibliography
Farm Policy and Legislative Analysis
Food and Drug Law
Fruits and Vegetables -- Perishable Agricultural Commodities
Hunger and Food Security Issues
Sustainable and Organic Farming
Reference Resources
Wholesale and Farmers' Market
Bridging the Technological Divide: A Guide to Accepting Food Stamps at Farmers' Markets
Publication: Changing Participation in Food Assistance Programs Among Low-Income
Children After Welfare Reform (Todd, 2010)
Policy Topics: Diet, Health & Safety
Policy Topics: Food & Nutrition Assistance
Policy Topics: Food & Nutrition Assistance Policy
Briefing Room: Child Nutrition
Briefing Room: Food Assistance and Nutrition Program Outcomes
Briefing Room: Food Assistance and Nutrition Programs
Briefing Room: Food Security in the United States
Briefing Room: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Briefing Room: The WIC Program
Publication: Household Food Security in the United States, 2008 (Nord et al., 2009)
Publication: Food Insecurity in Households with Children: Prevalence, Severity and Household
Characteristics (Nord, 2009)
Publications: The Food Assistance Landscape: FY 2008 Annual Report (2009)
Publications: Access to Affordable and Nutritious Food-Measuring and Understanding Food Deserts
and Their Consequences: Report to Congress (Ver Ploeg et. al., 2009)
Supplemental Nutrition Program: Farmer's Markets
Child & Adult Care Food Program
Commodity Supplemental Food Program
Farmer's Market Nutrition Program
Food Distribution on Indian Reservations Program
Food Assistance for Disaster Relief
School Meals Program
Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program
State Processing Program
Program: Summer Food Service Program
Program: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
The Emergency Food Assistance Program
Women, Infants & Children
Community Outreach
Food Safety
Guidance for School Food Authorities: Developing a School Food Safety Program Based on the
Process Approach to HACCP Principles (1995)
Nutrition Education
Regulations & Policies
Programs & Services
Nutrition Programs in the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009
Food Security Resources
Healthy Meals Resource System
Food and Nutrition Information Center (FNIC)
Nutrition Assistance Programs