The USDA Food and Nutrition Service conducts a variety of studies, evaluations, and related activities that respond to the needs of policymakers and managers and help ensure that nutrition assistance programs achieve their goals effectively. This plan provides short descriptions of projects that are expected to launch in fiscal year (FY) 2025.
It reflects decisions by FNS program and research staff and leadership on the best use of available research funding to meet current information needs that are aligned with agency priorities to improve program efficiency, integrity, and nutrition. FNS developed this plan in consultation with the agencies of the Research, Education, and Economics (REE) Mission Area.
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted school meal operations and has contributed to lasting supply chain issues affecting the cost and availability of food and labor. The School Food Authority Survey II on Supply Chain Disruption and Student Participation was administered to all SFAs operating child nutrition programs in schools to gather information on the impacts of continued supply chain disruptions and the return to standard operations during SY 2022–23.
The information collected from the individuals and households permits them to apply for benefits (including assistance during disasters or situations of distress) or to recertify their eligibility. FNS uses this information to manage the Food Distribution Programs and monitor the use of federal funds.
The purpose of this new collection is to collect qualitative and quantitative stakeholder feedback through meetings, focus groups, interviews, other stakeholder interactions and surveys, as well as requests for administrative data, as part of the planning process for FNS regulatory actions, the semi-annual regulatory agenda, research studies, outreach, training and the development of guidance.
This collection is a revision of a currently approved collection for determining eligibility for free and reduced price meals and free milk as stated in FNS regulations.
This is a revision to a currently approved collection, to prevent a lapse in OMB approval of data collection. This collection allows for Food Distribution Programs, such as the National School Lunch Program, the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, and The Emergency Food Assistance Program, to run effectively.
FNS issued regulation that prescribe the methods for making payments of funds to state agencies to use for administrative expenses incurred in overseeing and providing technical assistance in connection with activities undertaken under the NSLP, the SMP, the SBP, the CACFP, and the FDP. For this revision, FNS has revised the FNS-525 form to eliminate data fields which collect data that can be obtained from the FNS financial data systems.
In keeping with ongoing efforts to increase the number of small and underserved businesses participating in the USDA food procurement program, as well as increasing access to culturally appropriate foods, AMS is seeking public input on perceived barriers that small businesses, those owned by underserved businesses, and providers of organic, kosher and halal agricultural products face in working with AMS' Commodity Procurement Program.
USDA FNS plans to collect additional information from grant applicants for the second round of TEFAP Reach and Resiliency Grant applications and add reporting questions on a biannual basis. This notice solicits public comment on the additional information proposed for collection.
The USDA has submitted the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PL 104-13).