|  | Diet Nutrition | Nutrition

Nutrition Services for Children

The Food and Nutrition Services of the United States Department of Agriculture offer several programs to provide children with access to food, as well as education about nutrition and a wholesome diet. There are certain requirements for children to be eligible for the various services.

  1. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

    • This service was originally called the Food Stamp Program. It provides people with an electronic payment card that can be used to buy food at participating stores. The program helps provide food for over 31 million people every month, many of them children. SNAP helps support families who are moving from welfare to work, and is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The program has certain eligibility requirements.

    Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)

    • This nutrition service seeks to improve health by adding nutritious food to the diet of participants. The program serves children up to age six, as well as breastfeeding women and infants. Among the foods it provides are canned fruits and vegetables, dried beans, peanut butter, grains and ready-to-eat cereals. Contact your State Distributing Agency for further details about access to this program.

    Eat Smart Play Hard

    • This nutrition service aims to offer practical advice to get children and those who care for them to eat healthier food, and become more physically active on a daily basis. The program provides a web site for parents with information about healthy food and lifestyle, along with recipes for quick, healthy and tasty meals. The service also offers interactive materials for children that are informative in a fun and engaging way. Parents and teachers can consult a useful Calorie Burner Chart that lists how many calories are burned during different activities. Keeping track of calories and exercise can combat obesity, which is a growing health concern for children.

    WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program

    • Aimed at women, infants and children, this service provides education about nutrition and foods, plus access to healthcare for those who are at risk of being nutritionally deficient. Children up to the age of five are eligible for this program. The type of food that are provided are typically those found at farmers' markets. They include fresh, locally grown vegetables and fruits that participants have to prepare for themselves. The program aims to increase knowledge about the use of these types of food.

Nutrition - Related Articles