USDA FNS is proposing to add a new system of records, entitled USDA/FNS–13, Mercury, which is a Consumer Off the Shelf workflow system designed to automate the correspondence tracking and management process within FNS.
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.
This action implements statutory requirements and policy improvements to strengthen administrative oversight and operational performance of the Child Nutrition Programs.
FNS collects information for this collection, which contains both mandatory and required to obtain or retain benefit requirements, from state agencies, LEAs/SFAs, and households. The information collected from the state agencies and the LEAs/SFAs ensures that eligibility determinations are made, that applications are verified, that eligibility and other records are maintained, and that public notification is provided concerning the programs.
This ongoing information collection is required to administer and operate this program in accordance with the NSLA. The program is administered at the state agency and school food authority/local education agency levels and states, SFAs/LEAs, and schools under this Act are required to keep accounts and records as may be necessary to enable FNS to determine whether the program is in compliance with this Act and the regulations.
This agenda provides summary descriptions of significant and not significant regulations being developed in FNS.
FNS plans to conduct an annual assessment through the School Meals Operations Study in SY 2023–24. This notice covers the fourth year of the SMO Study, which will collect data from state and local agencies on the CN COVID–19 waivers as well as data on state and local CN program operations during SY 2022–23. Data collection will occur in SY 2023–24.
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.
This notice announces the national average value of donated foods or, where applicable, cash in lieu of donated foods, to be provided in school year 2024 (July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024) for each lunch served by schools participating in the NSLP, and for each lunch and supper served by institutions participating in the CACFP.
This study informs USDA FNS about the reasons behind under-redemption of the cash-value benefit (CVB) issued to participants in WIC.