Research and evaluation activities in USDA - Regular Items - United States Department of Agriculture - evaluation of national school lunch and breakfast programs

Family Economics and Nutrition Review, Spring, 2002

Overall Trends: Participation rates fell by 17 percentage points between 1994 and 1999. While the number of eligible individuals fell by 16 percent, the number of participating individuals fell by 35 percent. The overall participation rate among people eligible for benefits was 57 percent in 1999, down from a high of 74 percent in 1994.

Trends Among Subgroups: Participation rates among children declined each year between 1994 and 1999, dropping from nearly 90 percent in 1994 to 68 percent by 1999. The decrease occurred between both preschool children and school-aged children. Participation rates fell both for individuals in single-parent households and for those in married-couple families with children.

By contrast, participation rates between 1994 and 1999 were fairly stable but constantly low among the elderly: about 30 percent of eligible seniors participated. Among the disabled, about half of the eligible participants participated between 1994 and 1997. However, their participation rate rose to 61 percent by 1999. Participation rates declined each year among individuals living in households without any workers, dropping from 85 percent in 1994 to 70 percent in 1999. Among working-poor households, participation rates among those who were eligible were stable between 1994 and 1997 but fell between 1997 and 1999: an average of 53 and 48 percent, respectively.

Contrary to expectations, participation rates have fallen most rapidly among those living in households that qualify for the largest benefits (over half of the maximum allotment). In 1994, 98 percent of these individuals participated; by 1999, 78 percent participated. These households generally have the lowest income, relative to their household size.

Assessment of Computer Matching in the Food Stamp Program

Computer matching is a powerful management tool, which has increased the integrity and efficiency of the Food Stamp Program. This study examined how States are currently using or planning to use computer-matching strategies for error reduction.

Since 1991, States, in general, have significantly increased their use of computer matching to enhance program integrity. Advances in computer technology facilitated development of strategies to make fraud more difficult to commit and easier to detect. Technological advances, particularly the growth in communications networks, greatly increased States' matching capability, which led to more rapid responses from external databases. For more information on Assessment of Computer Matching in the Food Stamp Program, visit http://www.fns.usda.gov/ OANE/MENU/Published/FSP/ NewReleases.htm.

FNS Planning and Performance Measurement

FNS is responsible for managing the Agency's strategic and operational planning systems. The Office of Analysis, Nutrition, and Evaluation (OANE) coordinates the Agency's contributions to the Department's strategic plan, performance plans, and performance reports, which are required by the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA, P.L. 103-62). OANE also manages an internal process intended to align the Agency's operational priorities with the goals of the strategic and annual plans, as well as other key program and policy objectives.