Nutritional assistance programs are organized interventions designed to improve access to adequate and nutritious food among individuals and households experiencing food insecurity, financial hardship, or elevated nutritional risk. They may provide food benefits, vouchers, prepared meals, nutrient-rich foods, nutrition education, or referrals to health and social services. Programs can be delivered through public welfare systems, healthcare settings, schools, community organizations, or humanitarian agencies, and may target specific groups such as children, pregnant and lactating women, older adults, and low-income households ^[1][2]. Their design varies according to eligibility criteria, benefit type, delivery mechanism, and nutritional objectives. Some programs primarily increase households’ purchasing power and access to food, whereas others provide age-specific meals, supplemental foods, or nutrition counseling. Nutritional assistance programs therefore encompass both material support for food access and complementary services intended to address nutritional needs. Their outcomes may include changes in food security, dietary quality, nutrient intake, and health status, although effects depend on program design, participation, and the circumstances of recipients ^[1][3].