Summer Feeding Design Study, Vol. I: Design and Costs for Program Component

Describes the design of a national study of USDA's Summer Food Service Program, created in 1975 to provide children from low-income families with nutritious meals when school is not in session, including appropriate sample and data collection methodologies, analytic methods, and study costs. On a typical summer day, the program provides meals to more than 2 million children. Since 1975, eligibility criteria, administrative procedures, and funding levels have changed. The study, which is currently underway, is describing program operations and assessing how they contribute to participation levels and the nutritional benefits of SFSP participation. Results will be available in summer 2002.