Local Food Directories and Survey: Notice of Request for Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection and To Merge the Collection of National Farmers Market Directory and Survey With Modules and Local Food Directories and Survey, 3094-3095 [2016-00859]

Agencies

• Agricultural Marketing Service
• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 12 (Wednesday, January 20, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3094-3095]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-00859]


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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 12 / Wednesday, January 20, 2016 / 
Notices

[[Page 3094]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. No. AMS-TM-15-0082]


Local Food Directories and Survey: Notice of Request for Revision 
of a Currently Approved Information Collection and To Merge the 
Collection of National Farmers Market Directory and Survey With Modules 
and Local Food Directories and Survey

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. Chapter 35), this notice announces the Agricultural Marketing 
Service's (AMS) intention to request approval from the Office of 
Management and Budget, for revision of two currently approved 
collections by merging them into a single information collection, 
titled ``Local Food Directories and Survey''. AMS intends to combine 
collection 0581-0169, National Farmers Market Directory and Survey with 
Modules, and collection 0581-0289, Local Food Directories and Survey, 
and title it ``Local Food Directories and Survey''. Merging the 
collections will allow for reduced input time for operators of multiple 
local food enterprises. All directories are national in scope and 
provide free advertising for producers of local agricultural products. 
The directories also assist customers to locate local food enterprises.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by March 21, 2016 to be 
assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments concerning 
this notice. Comments should be submitted online at www.regulations.gov 
or sent to Edward Ragland, Marketing Services Division, Transportation 
and Marketing Program, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department 
of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Room 4509 South Building, 
Ag Stop 0269, Washington, DC 20250-0269.
    All comments should be identified with the docket number (AMS-TM-
15-0082), the date, and the page number of this issue of the Federal 
Register. All comments received will be posted without change, 
including any personal information provided, online at https://www.regulations.gov and will be made available for public inspection 
during regular business hours at the above physical address from 9 a.m. 
to 12 noon and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, (except 
official Federal holidays). Persons wanting to visit the USDA South 
Building to view comments received are requested to make an appointment 
in advance by calling (202) 720-8317.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Edward Ragland, Marketing Services 
Division, Transportation and Marketing Program, Agricultural Marketing 
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., 
Room 4509 South Building, Ag Stop 0269, Washington, DC 20250-0269; Tel. 
202-720-8317 FAX 202-690-0031. Comments should reference Docket No. 
AMS-TM-15-0082.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Local Food Directories and Survey
    OMB Number: 0581-0169
    Expiration Date of Approval: April 30, 2016
    Type of Request: Revision and merger of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: Under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, as amended 
(7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.), AMS is responsible for conducting research to 
enhance market access for small and medium sized farmers. The role of 
the Marketing Services Division (MSD) of AMS is to facilitate 
distribution of U.S. agricultural products. The division identifies 
marketing opportunities, provides analysis to help take advantage of 
those opportunities, and develops and evaluates solutions, including 
improving farmers markets and other direct-to-consumer marketing 
activities. Various types of direct to customer local food enterprises 
serve different parts of the food marketing chain but all focus on the 
small-to medium-sized agricultural producers that have difficulty 
obtaining access to large scale commercial distribution channels. 
Information has been collected by the MSD periodically about the size 
and growth of markets, farmers served, products sold, sales, and 
management structure to better monitor how this marketing channel 
changes over time and the impact farmers markets have on the farming 
community nationwide.
    Merging the two collection instruments would allow sharing of 
contact information across the two information collections which will 
reduce input time for operators of multiple local food enterprises. It 
will also allow AMS to more efficiently manage the collection and 
prevent duplication of burden. The definitions of on-farm market, 
community-supported agriculture, (CSA) and food hub are listed below.
    Farmers market information collected serves dual purposes. This 
information is used to populate USDA's National Farmers Market 
Directory, and periodically, market managers are invited to participate 
in a comprehensive survey evaluating the farmers market sector. 
Collecting data for multiple purposes increases response rates, reduces 
duplicity in information collected by AMS, and adds convenience for 
AMS.
    The collection incorporates advanced GIS mapping capability, which 
provides the ability to immediately stratify the respondents and direct 
them to the survey modules relevant to their characteristics. The data-
driven nature of the collection and the use of modules minimizes the 
time necessary for respondents to complete the questionnaire. Topic 
areas in USDA's National Farmers Market Managers Survey include: 
characteristics and history of farmers markets, types of products sold, 
including fresh, locally-grown produce, location of the markets, 
programs to encourage healthy eating, special events, marketing 
methods, participation in federal programs designed to increase 
consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, vendor retention and 
recruitment, market growth and enhancement, contribution to economic 
development, awareness and participation in grant and educational 
programs, what information farmers market managers have or how

[[Page 3095]]

they derive estimates of the number of customers, sales, number of 
vendors, and vendor characteristics.
    An on-farm market is an area of a facility affiliated with a farm 
where transactions between a farm market operator and customers take 
place. An on-farm market may operate seasonally or year-round. On-farm 
markets are an important component of direct marketing, adding value by 
offering customers a visit to the farm and the opportunity to purchase 
products from the people who grew them.
    A CSA is another type of food-production and direct marketing 
relationship between a farmer or farmers and a group of consumers who 
purchase ``shares'' of the season's harvest in advance of the growing 
season. The up-front working capital generated by selling shares 
reduces the financial risk to the farmer(s). Generally; farmers receive 
better prices for their crops and, have reduced marketing costs. 
Consumers benefit by receiving weekly delivery of fresh locally-grown 
fruits, vegetables, meats, eggs and other produce. They also benefit 
from the ability to collectively support the sustainability of local 
farmers.
    A Food hub is a business or organization that actively manages the 
aggregation, distribution, and marketing of source-identified food 
products primarily from local and regional producers to strengthen 
their ability to satisfy wholesale, retail, and institutional demand. 
This marketing channel also allows farm operators to capture a larger 
share of consumers' food dollar.
    On-farm markets, CSA, as well as food hubs, comprise an integral 
part of the urban/farm linkage and have continued to rise in 
popularity, mostly due to the growing consumer interest in obtaining 
fresh products directly from the farm. The use of these marketing 
channels has enabled farmers to receive a larger share of the 
consumer's food dollar. On-farm markets, CSA, and food hubs allow 
consumers to have access to locally grown, farm fresh produce, enable 
farmers the opportunity to develop a personal relationship with their 
customers, and cultivate consumer loyalty with the farmers. They are 
also providing greater access to fresh locally grown fruits and 
vegetables, as well as playing an increasing role in encouraging 
healthier eating.

For Merged Local Food Directories and Survey--0581-0169

    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this combined 
collection of information is estimated to average 0.183 hours per 
response.
    Respondents: Farmers market managers, farm operators that operate 
on-farm stores, operators of CSA, farm operations, and operators of 
food hubs.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 62,250
    Estimated Total Annual Responses: 6,500
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: .104
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,187 hours.

For Local Food Directories and Survey--0581-0289

    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 0.167 hours per response.
    Respondents: Farm operators that operate on-farm stores, operators 
of CSA, farm operations, and operators of food hubs.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 56,750 respondents
    Estimated Total Annual Responses: 2,125 responses
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: .037 responses
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 355 hours
    Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways 
to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who 
are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms 
of information technology. All responses to this notice will be 
summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments 
will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: January 13, 2016.
Rex A. Barnes,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-00859 Filed 1-19-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P