Domestic Food Assistance: Summary of Programs (CRS Report for Congress)
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| Release Date |
Revised Aug. 27, 2019 |
| Report Number |
R42353 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Randy Alison Aussenberg, Analyst in Nutrition Assistance Policy; Kirsten J. Colello, Specialist in Health and Aging Policy |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
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Summary:
Over the years, Congress has authorized and the federal government has administered programs
to provide food to the hungry and to other vulnerable populations in this country. This report
offers a brief overview of hunger and food insecurity along with the related network of programs.
The report is structured around three main tables that contain information about each program,
including its authorizing language, administering agency, eligibility criteria, services provided,
participation data, and funding information. In between the tables, contextual information about
this policy area and program administration is provided that may assist Congress in tracking
developments in domestic food assistance. This report provides a bird’s-eye view of domestic
food assistance and can be used both to learn about the details of individual programs as well as
compare and contrast features across programs.
This report includes overview information for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and
Nutrition Service (USDA-FNS) programs as well as nutrition programs administered by the
Administration on Aging (AOA), within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’
Administration for Community Living (HHS-ACL). USDA-FNS nutrition programs include
those most recently reauthorized by the 2014 farm bill (the Agricultural Act of 2014; P.L. 113-
79). Programs included in the farm bill are the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
(SNAP), The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), Commodity Supplemental Food
Program (CSFP), Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP), and the Senior Farmers’ Market
Nutrition Program (SFMNP). USDA-FNS also administers programs not contained in the farm
bill: the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and
Child Nutrition programs (School Breakfast Program [SBP], National School Lunch Program
[NSLP], Summer Food Service Program [SFSP], Special Milk Program [SMP], and Child and
Adult Care Food Program [CACFP]). HHS-ACL programs are the nutrition programs contained
in the Older Americans Act (OAA)—Congregate Nutrition Program; Home Delivered Nutrition
Program; Grants to Native Americans: Supportive and Nutrition Services; and the Nutrition
Services Incentive Program (NSIP).
