FNS Documents & Resources

This is a Request for Information to help the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture develop the additional criteria, as authorized in the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, for a self-determination demonstration project related to the purchase of agricultural commodities for the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations. USDA requests feedback from Indian Tribal Organizations and state agencies that administer FDPIR, Tribal leaders and representatives, and Tribal associations.

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.

The FNS is consolidating certain programmatic and financial data reporting requirements that are currently approved by the Office of Management and Budget, under the Food Programs Reporting System. The purpose is to give states and ITO agencies one portal for the various reporting required for the programs that the states and ITOs operate. The data collected is used for a variety of purposes; mainly program evaluation, planning, audits, funding, research, regulatory compliance and general statistics.

This notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on this proposed information collection. This collection is an extension, without change, of a currently approved collection. This collection allows for Food Distribution Programs, such as the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), to run effectively.

This rule proposes to revise and clarify requirements for the processing of donated foods in order to: Incorporate successful processing options tested in demonstration projects, ensure accountability for donated foods provided for processing, and increase program efficiency.

The Food Distribution Division at FNS is considering developing and delivering a nutrition paraprofessional training program for Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservation staff within Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs). 

 This is a new generic clearance that will allow FNS to quickly collect and analyze specific information from state and local administrators of the special nutrition programs, including the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Summer Food Service Program, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, Food Distribution on Indian Reservation, Commodity Supplemental Food Program, and the Emergency Food Assistance Program. 

This proposed rule would implement Section 4018 of the Agricultural Act of 2014.  Section 4018 created new limitations on the use of federal funds authorized in the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program promotion and outreach activities.  

FNS is consolidating certain programmatic and financial data reporting requirements under the Food Programs Reporting System, an electronic reporting system. The purpose is to give states and Indian Tribal Organizations agencies one portal for the various reporting required for the programs that the states and ITO operate.

Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 210 to 299, is revised as of Jan. 1, 2015, on page 566, in § 250.30, in paragraph (f)(2).