Modernizing Channels of Communication With SNAP Participants

Project Overview The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the largest program in the domestic nutrition assistance safety net; after unemployment insurance, it is the most responsive federal program providing additional assistance during economic downturns. The goal of this study is to better understand how participants use various communication channels, such as smartphones, social media,[...]

SNAP-Ed Data Collection Practices

Project Overview Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) is the nutritional compass for the country’s largest food assistance program, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP provides more than 40 million people with low incomes with more than $60 billion in supplemental benefits to purchase groceries each month. SNAP-Ed is essentially a grant program that[...]

SNAP Certification Notices Technical Assistance

Project Overview Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) certification notices are the primary way state agencies communicate with people in need of food assistance. Developing effective SNAP notices can be a challenge. For example, there may be difficulty in clearly conveying SNAP decisions to clients, the reasoning behind them, and required actions—especially when the household’s situation[...]

Data Visualizations for FNS Research and Analysis Activities: Child Nutrition Programs Data

Project Overview The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) operates several child nutrition programs that provide nutritious breakfasts, lunches, and snacks to children during both the school year and summer months. To best serve these children, monitor program operations and financials, and process reimbursements, FNS collects a wide array of data from[...]

Impact of Additional Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP) Benefits on NAP Participants Following Hurricane Maria

Project Overview In October 2017, in response to Hurricanes Irma and Maria, Congress appropriated $1.27 billion in disaster relief funds to expand eligibility for Puerto Rico ’s Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP) and increase benefit amounts for current and new participants. Following the distribution of those funds, Congress mandated that the Secretary of Agriculture conduct an[...]

Update to Feasibility Study on Implementing SNAP in Puerto Rico

Project Overview As provided by Section 776 of the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (P.L. 116–94), the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) contracted with Insight to update our 2010 report, Implementing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in Puerto Rico: A Feasibility Study. We will also develop a detailed implementation plan with specific steps and timelines[...]

Enhancements to the WIC Eligibility Report

Project Overview The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) distributes federal funds to 90 state, territorial, and Indian tribal agencies to provide supplemental foods, healthcare referrals, and nutrition education to nutritionally at-risk, low-income pregnant women, new mothers, their infants, and children up to age 5. The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)[...]

SNAP Technical Assistance Learning Collaborative

Project Overview For the U.S Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service, Insight provided expert technical assistance to selected state agencies administering the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to improve their internal business processes and performance. As part of this work, a SNAP learning collaborative was formed to promote and support dynamic and interactive engagement[...]

Reasons for Under Redemption of the WIC Cash-Value Benefit

Project Overview Participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) may purchase fruits and vegetables using a cash-value benefit, or CVB. As of fiscal year 2018, children aged 1 through 5 receive an $8 monthly benefit, and pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women receive an $11 benefit. State agencies also have[...]