FNS is proposing to amend its regulations to make access and parity improvements within several food distribution programs, including the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, The Emergency Food Assistance Program, and USDA Foods disaster response. The proposed provisions use plain language to make them easier to read and understand.
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 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.
This submission is a revision of a currently approved collection which covers the reporting and recordkeeping burden associated with the Seniors Farmers' Market Nutrition Program. The information collected is used by USDA to manage, plan, evaluate, make decisions, and report on SFMNP program operations.
This request for approval of information collection is necessary to obtain input into the development of nutrition education interventions for population groups served by FNS. Collection of this information will increase FNS' ability to formulate nutrition education interventions that resonate with the intended target population, particularly low-income families.
This collection is a revision of a currently approved collection of information relating to the reporting and recordkeeping burden associated with the SFMNP.
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on this proposed information collection.
FNS is codifying a revised statutory requirement included in the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. The 2018 Farm Bill at section 4003 requires FDPIR administrative funds to remain available for obligation at the Indian Tribal Organization (ITO) and state agency level for a period of two federal fiscal years. This provision was self-executing and went into effect upon enactment of the 2018 Farm Bill in federal fiscal year 2019.
Through this rulemaking, the USDA Food and Nutrition Service is codifying new and revised statutory requirements included in the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 . First, the Department is revising the minimum Federal share of the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) administrative costs and State agency/Indian Tribal Organization (ITO) mandatory administrative match requirement amounts. Second, the Department is revising its administrative match waiver requirements by allowing State agencies and ITOs to qualify for a waiver if the required match share would be a substantial burden. Third, the Department is limiting the reduction of any FDPIR benefits or services to State agencies and ITOs that are granted a full or partial administrative match waiver. Last, the Department is allowing for other Federal funds, if such use is otherwise consistent with both the purpose of the other Federal funds and with the purpose of FDPIR administrative funds, to be used to meet the State agency/ITO administrative match requirement.
This information collection is requesting a revision to the previously approved burden hours due to program adjustments that primarily reflect expected changes in the number of SFMNP state agencies, individual/households (program recipients), and the number of farmers, farmers' markets, roadside stands, and CSA programs, from year to year.