Department of Agriculture
Food and Nutrition Service

The Food and Nutrition Service works to increase food security and reduce hunger by providing children and low-income people with access to food, a healthy diet, and nutrition education in a manner that supports U.S. agriculture and inspires public confidence in the Nation's domestic nutrition assistance programs. FNS nutrition assistance programs represent over nearly half of USDA's budget. These programs operate through partnerships with State and local organizations. The largest FNS programs are the Food Stamp Program, the Child Nutrition Programs, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. FNS works closely with other USDA agencies, such as the Agricultural Marketing Service and the Farm Service Agency, to provide commodities to low-income Americans. The agency also works with the Agricultural Research Service to monitor the eating habits of program participants.

Evaluate State Grants for Reduction of Payment Errors in the Food Stamp Program (FSP).
KRA evaluated grants to develop strategies for reducing FSP payment errors. KRA identified strategies that were most effective in reducing payment errors, the cost-effectiveness of these strategies, and the replicability of the strategies in other sites.

Getting More Mileage from Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Research.
KRA provided research support in four major categories: Research Tools - Options and Improved Use; Technical Support for Food Stamp Welfare Reform Evaluations; Support for Implementation of the GPRA; and Supplemental Food Program for WIC Special Project Grants Technical Assistance.

Reaching the Working Poor and Poor Elderly.
KRA investigated reasons why the poor elderly and working poor are less likely to participate in the Food Stamp Program and whether program changes affected their participation levels. KRA analyzed data; conducted focus groups; and designed, tested, and refined survey instruments.

NOTE:
In recognition of KRA's services to the FNS, in June 1998, the Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service presented KRA its Small Disadvantaged Business Contractor of the Year Award for providing outstanding support and service.

Nutrition Education Conference.
KRA provided full-service pre-, on-site, and post-conference administrative, logistical, and management support to assist the FNS conduct a conference on nutrition education. KRA planned, organized, and reported on the 3-day national conference for 200 participants.

Food Store Access Conference.
KRA provided pre-, on-site, and post conference logistical and program support, including recording and transcribing the proceedings and distributing transcripts to designated participants and speakers. The 2-day national conference for 250 people stimulated discussion about the extent of insufficient access to food stores by low-income, underserved citizens.

Food Safety Symposium.
KRA provided a full range of administrative, logistical, management, and documentation support to assist the FNS in conducting a 3-day national symposium for 200 participants on food safety.