Hunger
The uneasy or painful sensation caused by lack of food. The recurrent and involuntary lack of access to food. For more information see the ERS/USDA Briefing Room – Food Security in the United States: Measuring Household Food Security.
Backpack Program
While free and reduced breakfast and lunch programs provide significant nutritional benefits to students during the school day, many children do not receive sufficient food when school is not in session. Backpack Programs help alleviate child hunger by discreetly providing hungry children with backpacks full of nutritious, easy-to-prepare food on Friday afternoons so they have food to eat throughout the weekend.
Basic Food
Called “Basic Food” in Washington state, this is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that provides people with monthly benefits to buy food.
Child Nutrition Act
The Child Nutrition Act and the National School Lunch Act are the two pieces of authorizing legislation for the child nutrition and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) programs. These laws were most recently reauthorized through 2009 by the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004, P.L. 108-265.
Child Nutrition Programs
The five U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) domestic food assistance programs that primarily serve the nutritional needs of children. These programs include the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Summer Food Service Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, and the Special Milk Program.
Commodity Foods
As a result of federal surplus-removal and price-support programs, the USDA purchases excess food produced by American farmers. The USDA utilizes a number of commodity distribution and nutrition programs to provide these excess commodities to low-income Americans.
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
A type of farm where growers and consumers share the risks and benefits of food production. Typically, CSA farm members, or “shareholders,” pledge in advance to cover the anticipated costs of the farm operation and farmer’s salary. In return, the shareholders receive shares in the farm’s production throughout the growing season. Shareholders also share in the risks of farming, including poor harvests due to unfavorable weather or pests. Through direct sales to community members who have provided the farmer with working capital in advance, growers receive better prices for their crops, gain financial security, and are relieved of much of the burden of marketing. CSAs are increasingly used as a way to provide lower-income, urban neighborhoods with access to fresh produce. More information can be found at the USDA’s Alternative Farming Systems Information Center.
Dietary Guidelines for Americans
Issued jointly every five years by Health and Human Services (HHS) and the USDA, the Dietary Guidelines provide recommendations for dietary habits to promote health and reduce the risk of chronic disease. Meals served under many of the federal nutrition programs, such as the Child Nutrition Programs, must meet the requirements outlined in the Guidelines.
Emergency Food Providers
Private, nonprofit organizations that provide food to individuals and households in need. Emergency food providers obtain most food through bulk purchasing and donations. However, the federal The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) program also makes excess commodities available to the emergency food network.
Farm Bill
Authority for the Food Stamp Program is contained within the Farm Bill. This legislation can also affect commodity distribution programs such as TEFAP and Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) and the child nutrition programs that receive commodity foods. In addition to nutrition programs, authority for many other USDA programs and activities is contained within the Farm Bill. The Farm Bill was most recently reauthorized by the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, P.L. 107-171.
Farm to Cafeteria / Farm to School
Part of the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004, Farm to Cafeteria projects link local farmers and schools to bring locally grown food into the National School Lunch Program. Examples of Farm to Cafeteria projects include salad bars, seasonal items incorporated into lunch menus, and school gardens. Although currently no funds have been appropriated for the implementation of this program, schools in 17 states have started their own programs, sometimes referred to as Farm to School programs, with funding from community organizations and Community Food Projects Grants from the USDA.
Farmers Market
A market where consumers can purchase fresh produce and other food items (such as meat, dairy products, and baked goods) directly from small- to medium-sized farms. Farmers markets are often located in urban settings, providing an important link between rural and urban communities. Some farmers markets also have the ability to accept EBT, allowing consumers to use their food stamp benefits to purchase food at these locations.
Federal Poverty Level (FPL)
Also referred to as the poverty level, the FPL is a measure used to determine the household income level for a family to be considered “in poverty.” The measurement was developed in 1965 by multiplying the USDA’s economy food plan (predecessor to the Thrifty Food Plan) by three. The measurement is updated each year based on price increases reflected in the Consumer Price Index.
FMNV
Foods of Minimal Nutritional Value. FMNV is defined as: (i) In the case of artificially sweetened foods, a food which provides less than five percent of the Reference Daily Intakes (RDI) for each of eight specified nutrients per serving; and (ii) in the case of all other foods, a food which provides less than five percent of the RDI for each of eight specified nutrients per 100 calories and less than five percent of the RDI for each of the eight specified nutrients per serving. The eight nutrients to be assessed for this purpose are: protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, niacin, riboflavin, thiamine, calcium and iron. The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 210.11 defines FMNV; Appendix B states foods of minimal nutritional value include: soda water, water ices, chewing gum and certain candies.
Food Bank
A private, nonprofit organization that collects mostly nonperishable food in bulk from private and government sources. The food bank then distributes the food to food pantries and emergency kitchens which serve individuals and households in need.
Food Pantry
An agency that provides food directly to households[ET1] in need by distributing bags of grocery items to be prepared and eaten at home.
Food Bank Network
An organization of food banks that coordinates the transfer of donated food and grocery products to where they are needed most. Often a food bank network will coordinate transfer of food to areas of need on a nationwide basis.
Food Insecurity
Limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods, or limited or uncertain ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways (without resorting to emergency food supplies, scavenging, stealing, or other coping strategies). For more information see the ERS/USDA Briefing Room -Food Security in the United States: Measuring Household Food Security.
Food Security
Access by all people, at all times, to enough food for an active, healthy life. Food Security includes at a minimum: (1) the ready availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods and (2) an assured ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways (without resorting to emergency food supplies, scavenging, stealing, or other coping strategies). For more information see the ERS/USDA Briefing Room – Food Security in the United States: Measuring Household Food Security.
Food Stamp Administration
Administration of the Food Stamp Program is shared by the federal and state governments. The USDA monitors state administration of the program and provides bonus awards to states with the lowest and most improved payment error rates, lowest and most improved negative error rates, highest and most improved participation indices, and highest rates of timeliness in case handling.
Food Stamp Program
The largest nutrition program for lower-income Americans that provides an allotted monthly benefit on electronic debit cards. Benefits can be redeemed at many grocery stores, some farmers markets, and other retail sites, allowing individuals to obtain food through normal channels of trade. The Food Stamp Program is a USDA program that provides an entitlement to states. Benefits are 100% federally funded. Administrative costs are shared between the federal and state governments. Food stamp benefits can only be used for food, and cannot be used to buy any nonfood item (such as pet food, household supplies, grooming items, etc.); alcoholic beverages and tobacco; vitamins and medicines; any food that will be eaten in the store; and hot foods.
Meal Program
An organization that provides free, prepared meals on-site directly to hungry individuals or families. Often focused specifically on serving children, seniors, people experiencing homelessness, or other vulnerable populations.
National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
This USDA program helps public and private schools provide nutritious lunches to all students. Low-income students are able to receive free or reduced-price lunches through the program.
Poverty Guidelines
Guidelines issued each year by HHS that are used to determine eligibility for the all means-tested programs, including nutrition programs. Poverty guidelines are based upon calculation of the Federal Poverty Level.