A survey instrument was developed to describe the nutritional habits and needs of homeless adolescents. It incorporated the Block Food Frequency (BFFQ) questionnaire with 37 questions regarding: current practices of obtaining food; nutritional education needs; and demographic information. The survey was reviewed, pilot-tested, and revised Subjects were 18-20 year old residents at a homeless shelter for less than 72 hours (n=40). Descriptive statistics were used. Approximately half of the subjects were male and half were female. Ethnic background varied. Over half of the subjects relied on friends for housing in the three months prior to entering the shelter, 75% had access to at least one piece of equipment used to prepare or store food, most commonly a microwave oven. Sixty-two percent identified family or friends as one source of their food supply. Forty-two percent of the subjects reported financial resources of less than$ 10.00 per week and spent that money on food and cigarettes. As financial resources increased, so did expenditures on drugs, alcohol and food Body Mass Index (BMI) indicated 53% of participants weighed within an acceptable range, 27% were overweight. Sixty-percent reported a good-excellent knowledge of nutrition; 87% were interested in learning more about nutrition; 54% consumed very high fat diets; 85% had diets low in essential nutrients; 44% had considered or were trying to change their eating habits. BFFQ scores were not consistent with BMI, financial resources or perceived nutrition knowledge level. Protein/kilocalorie malnutrition does not appear to be a high risk for older homeless teens who use shelter services. However they are susceptible to micronutrient imbalances. Although subjects believed that they were knowledgeable about nutrition, dietary behaviors indicated otherwise. Interest in nutrition education and desire to improve dietary habits were evident suggesting that nutritional intervention programs could improve nutritional intake in this population.