This report compares food consumption and socioeconomic profiles of families participating and not participating in the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) food stamp of food distribution programs. Also, regional comparisons of the profiles are made and factors associated with income and food expenditures identified. The sample was drawn from homemakers in the USDA Extension Service's Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP). This program, launched in 1969, has the goal of improving the nutrition knowledge and diets of poor families. A related objective is to encourage program families to enroll in USDA food assistance programs. Sampled homemakers receiving food stamps had better diets, larger families, and higher incomes than homemakers in the food distribution program or those eligible for but not participating in a food assistance program. Approximately 37 percent of EFNEP families participated in USDA food assistance programs in 1969. Significant differences in socioeconomic characteristics and food consumption practices existed among EFNEP families according to their food assistance program status. Among participants and those eligible but not participating, food stamp families fared best in both economic and food consumption characteristics. Food assistance recipients and eligible nonparticipants ranked below ineligibles in economic and food consumption characteristics. (Author/JM)