12 2 STA T . 1 879PUBLIC LA W 11 0– 2 46—J U NE 18 , 2008 PARTV—MISCEL LA N E OU S SEC.41 41. PILOT P R O J ECTS TO E VA L U ATE H EALTH A ND NUTRITION PRO M OTION IN THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSIST - ANCE PRO G RAM. Section17 o f t h e F oo da nd Nu t r ition A ct of 20 0 8( 7 U. S. C . 202 6) i s a m ended by addin g at the end the fo l lo w ing
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‘( k ) PILOT P R O JEC T S TO EVA L U ATE H EALT H A ND NUTRITION PRO M OTION IN THE SU P PLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PRO -G RAM. — ‘‘(1) I N GENERAL.— T he Secretary shall carry out , under such terms and conditions as the Secretary considers to be a p propriate, pilot pro j ects to de v elop and test methods— ‘‘(A) of using the supplemental nutrition assistance program to improve the dietary and health status of house- holds eligible for or participating in the supplemental nutri- tion assistance program
and ‘‘( B ) to reduce overweight, obesity (including childhood obesity), and associated co-morbidities in the United States. ‘‘(2) G RANTS.— ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary may enter into competitively awarded contracts or cooperative agreements with, or provide grants to, public or private organi z ations or agencies (as defined by the Secretary), for use in accordance with projects that meet the strategy goals of this subsection. ‘‘(B) APPLICATION.—To be eligible to receive a contract, cooperative agreement, or grant under this paragraph, an organization shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such informa- tion as the Secretary may re q uire. ‘‘(C) SELECTION CRITERIA.—Pilot projects shall be evalu- ated against publicly disseminated criteria that may include— ‘‘(i) identification of a low-income target audience that corresponds to individuals living in households with incomes at or below 18 5 percent of the poverty level; ‘‘(ii) incorporation of a scientifically based strategy that is designed to improve diet quality through more healthful food purchases, preparation, or consumption; ‘‘(iii) a commitment to a pilot project that allows for a rigorous outcome evaluation, including data collection; ‘‘(iv) strategies to improve the nutritional value of food served during school hours and during after- school hours; ‘‘(v) innovative ways to provide significant improve- ment to the health and wellness of children; ‘‘(vi) other criteria, as determined by the Secretary. ‘‘( D )USEO F FUNDS.—Funds provided under this para- graph shall not be used for any project that limits the use of benefits under this Act. ‘‘( 3 ) PROJECTS.—Pilot projects carried out under paragraph (1) may include projects to determine whether healthier food
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