The Food Stamp Program (FSP) is the nation's primary nutrition assistance program for poor families in the United States. This study compared the dietary adequacy of children in poor families receiving food stamps to that of children in poor families not receiving such assistance. Data used were obtained from the 1986 United States Department of Agriculture Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals, a nationally representative sample survey consisting of an overall sample from all households in the 48 contiguous states, and a low-income sample emphasizing households with incomes below 125 percent of the federal poverty thresholds. This analysis focuses on the low-income sample. The findings indicated that compared to nonparticipating poor children ages 1 to 5, the dietary intake of children whose households received food stamps was significantly better in 10 of 16 major nutrients analyzed. The findings indicate that the Food Stamp Program is highly effective in improving the nutritional status of children in poor families. (Contains 22 references.) (KB)