Federal expenditures for USDA's food assistance programs totaled almost $54.3 billion in fiscal 2007, in excess of 2% more than in the previous fiscal year. The five largest food assistance programs: the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP; formerly the Food Stamp Program), the National School Lunch Program, WIC, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, and the School Breakfast Program; accounted for 95% of USDA's expenditures for food assistance. This report used preliminary data from the FNS to examine trends in the programs through fiscal 2007.
This study, based on 1976-2010 data, examines the relationship between US economic conditions and participation in the USDA ;s five largest nutrition assistance programs. The results of this study strongly suggested that, to varying degrees, economic conditions influenced participation in all of the major nutrition assistance programs, not just in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistant Program (SNAP; formerly the Food Stamp Program).
The authors used data from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to analyze the effect of the WIC Program and other factors on the health of US preschool children. Findings revealed that the WIC Program had a significant positive impact on the overall health of children. In particular, children in households participating in WIC were significantly more likely to be in excellent health.
This report described the WIC Program: how it works, its history, program trends, and the characteristics of the population it serves. It also examines issues related to program outcomes and administration. How the WIC community responded to these issues might have a large impact on future program operations.
In this study, the authors tested the effectiveness of a subsidy for fruits and vegetables on the WIC Program. Women who enrolled for postpartum services (n = 602) at three WIC sites in Los Angeles were assigned to either an intervention (farmers market or supermarket, both with redeemable food vouchers) or a control condition (a minimal non-food incentive). Results indicated that intervention participants increased their consumption of fruits and vegetables and sustained the increase 6 months after the intervention was terminated.
This study investigated whether women who received supplemental financial support specifically for the purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables would exhibit high uptake of the supplement. The researchers also recorded what those individuals would choose to purchase. The authors concluded that women used the supplement provided almost fully and that they purchased a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables for their families. No particular barriers arose to redemption of the vouchers by either the participants or retail vendors.
This study examines the relationship among WIC participation, family stressors, and health risks. researchers found that participating in the WIC Program attenuated, but did not eliminate, child health risks associated with family stressors.
USDA's domestic food and nutrition assistance programs increase food security by providing low-income households with access to food, a healthful diet, and nutrition education. Reliable monitoring of food security not only contributes to the effective operation of these programs, but also to the success of private food assistance programs and other government initiatives aimed at reducing food insecurity. This annual food security report provides statistics that guide planning for federal, state, and community food assistance programs.
The researchers studied the association between women's and children's duration of WIC participation and household food security status. Their results showed that among those with initial household food insecurity with hunger, an additional WIC visit reduced the odds of any household food insecurity and of household food insecurity with hunger at the last visit. Earlier and longer WIC participation might improve household food security status, particularly of vulnerable groups.
Throughout 2007, a total of 84% of US households with children were food secure, meaning that they had consistent access to adequate food for active, healthy lives for all household members. Nearly 16% of households with children were food insecure sometime during the year. These included 8.3% where children were food insecure, and 0.8% where one or more children experienced very low food security;the most severe food-insecure condition that the USDA measures. In 2007, federal food and nutrition assistance programs provided benefits to four out of five low-income, food-insecure households with children.
