Noting that problems of high rates of poverty, hunger, and food insecurity will persist unless steps are taken to reduce them, this report of the Food Research and Action Center details food and nutrition programs throughout the country. The report, designed for use by federal government, states, localities, advocates, religious organizations, schools, service providers, and non-profit organizations, presents data on the extent of hunger and on nutrition usage for the nation as a whole and for each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The following federal programs are described: (1) Food Stamp Program; (2) National School Lunch Program; (3) National School Breakfast Program; (4) Summer Food Service Program; (5) Child and Adult Care Food Program; (6) Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC); (7) the Emergency Food Assistance Program; and (8) the Commodity Supplemental Food Program. Following the general descriptions, the bulk of the report contains the state profiles detailing participation in each of the above programs as well as information on demographics, poverty, unemployment, and financial benefits for needy families. Additional data tables include information on food stamp program participation from 1997 to 2002. (HTH)