Food and Nutrition Service – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This rulemaking proposes changes to simplify meal pattern and monitoring requirements in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. The proposed changes, including optional flexibilities, are customer-focused and intended to help State and local Program operators overcome operational challenges that limit their ability to manage these Programs efficiently. In the National School Lunch Program, the proposed rule would add flexibility to the existing vegetable subgroups requirement. In the School Breakfast Program, the proposed rule would make it easier for menu planners to offer meats/meat alternates and grains interchangeably (without offering a minimum grains requirement daily), and would allow schools to offer \1/2\ cup of fruit in breakfasts served outside the cafeteria to reduce food waste. Other proposed changes would make it easier for local Program operators to plan menus for different age/grade groups, and expand the entr[eacute]e exemption service timeframe for competitive foods. To improve efficiency in Program monitoring, the proposed rule also would ease several administrative review requirements, including the review cycle. The monitoring changes aim to decrease the burden associated with administrative reviews while rewarding program integrity initiatives at the State and local levels. This rule also proposes to make updates, clarifications, and technical corrections throughout other parts of its regulations. Implementation of the wide range of proposed changes and flexibilities is expected to simplify operational requirements, increase efficiency, and make it easier for State and local Program operators to feed children.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on this information collection. 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. These Federal requirements affect eligibility under the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, and the Special Milk Program and are also applicable to the Child and Adult Care Food Program and the Summer Food Service Program when individual eligibility must be established. The eligibility burden of the Child and Adult Care Food Program and the Summer Food Service Program is reported in information collections under OMB Control Numbers 0584-0055 and 0584-0280, respectfully. The proposed collection reports the eligibility burden of National School Lunch Program; the School Breakfast Program; and the Special Milk Program. Previous information collection reviews unintentionally omitted the burden hours associated with the Special Milk Program's eligibility criteria, and some revisions being requested are due to the addition of the Special Milk Program. The current approval for the information collection burden associated with the eligibility requirements expires on March 31, 2020.

This is a Request for Information to help the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (the Secretary or USDA) 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 (FDPIR). USDA requests feedback from Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs) and State agencies that administer FDPIR, Tribal leaders and representatives, and Tribal associations. This notice is not a request for proposal and does not commit the Government to issue a solicitation, make an award, or pay any costs associated with responding to this announcement. All submitted information shall remain with the Government and will not be returned. All responses will become part of the public record and will not be held confidential. USDA received authority in section 4003(b) of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Pub. L. 115-334, the 2018 Farm Bill) to establish a demonstration project for one or more Tribal Organization(s) administering FDPIR to enter into self-determination contracts to purchase agricultural commodities (which are hereafter referred to as ``food(s)'') for the FDPIR food package for their Indian Tribe. These Tribally purchased foods will be issued to FDPIR participants in lieu of similar USDA Foods available in the FDPIR food package. The 2018 Farm Bill authorizes up to $5 million to remain available until expended to carry out this demonstration project; however, availability of funds is subject to Congressional appropriations. The objective of this Request for Information is to receive feedback to assist USDA in developing the process and criteria for determining if a FDPIR Tribal Organization is eligible for a self- determination demonstration project contract, as specified in the 2018 Farm Bill under Section 4003(b)(3). USDA invites comments on specific questions included in this Request for Information (see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION) and welcomes comments from those involved in the administration of FDPIR, Tribal leaders and representatives, and Tribal associations. USDA will use the comments in response to this Request for Information to inform the competitive process for entering into a self-determination contract(s) as required by Section 4003(b)(2) of the 2018 Farm Bill, upon receipt of Congressional appropriations.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on this information collection. This is a revision of a currently approved collection. This information collection consists of five components of State agency reporting and/or recordkeeping: A budget projection statement, a program activity report, State plans of operation updates, waiver requests, and other plans and submissions such as advance planning documents for information systems and for electronic benefit transfer (EBT) systems.

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. This is a revision of a currently approved collection codified in Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) regulations.

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. This collection is a revision of a currently approved collection. This information collection addresses the State agency reporting burden associated with the following State agency options under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Establishing and reviewing standard utility allowances (SUAs) and establishing methodology for offsetting cost of producing self-employment income.

Through this rulemaking, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (the Department or USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is codifying new statutory requirements included in the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill). First, the 2018 Farm Bill requires The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) State Plans, at the option of the State agency, to describe a plan of operation for projects to harvest, process, package, or transport donated commodities for use by TEFAP emergency feeding organizations (EFOs), also known as Farm to Food Bank Projects. Second, the Department is requiring TEFAP State agencies to amend their State Plans to describe a plan that provides EFOs or eligible recipient agencies (ERAs) within the State an opportunity to provide input on their commodity preferences and needs. Last, the Department is establishing the requirements for the projects to harvest, process, package, or transport donated commodities as authorized in the 2018 Farm Bill.

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 for the Survey of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Work. This NEW information collection will provide the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) with information about the employment patterns and characteristics of nondisabled adult SNAP participants, and identify health, social, and personal factors that promote or inhibit employment among SNAP participants.

Through this rulemaking, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (the Department or USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is codifying new and revised statutory requirements included in the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (the 2018 Farm Bill). 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.

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 for Reasons for Underredemption of the WIC Cash-Value Benefit. This collection is a NEW information collection. This study informs the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) about the reasons behind underredemption of the cash-value benefit (CVB) issued to participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). FNS is particularly interested in how CVB redemption rates are affected by State agency policies and practices.

This Notice announces the annual adjustments to the national average payments, the amount of money the Federal Government provides States for lunches, afterschool snacks, and breakfasts served to children participating in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs; to the maximum reimbursement rates, the maximum per lunch rate from Federal funds that a State can provide a school food authority for lunches served to children participating in the National School Lunch Program; and to the rate of reimbursement for a half-pint of milk served to non-needy children in a school or institution that participates in the Special Milk Program for Children. The annual payments and rates adjustments for the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs reflect changes in the Food Away From Home series of the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers. The annual rate adjustment for the Special Milk Program reflects changes in the Producer Price Index for Fluid Milk Products. Further adjustments are made to these rates to reflect higher costs of providing meals in Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. The payments and rates are prescribed on an annual basis each July. Overall, reimbursement rates this year for the National School Lunch, Breakfast Programs and the Special Milk Program either remained the same or increased compared to last year. Of note, the performance- based reimbursement for lunches certified as meeting the meal pattern increased from 6 cents to 7 cents.

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. This is a revision of a currently approved information collection request for the electronic submission of programmatic and financial data through the Food Programs Reporting System (FPRS). The data is currently collected on approved Office of Management and Budget (OMB) forms.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on this information collection. This is a revision of a currently approved collection which FNS employs to determine public participation in the National School Lunch Program.

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. 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. The information reported and the records kept for purposes of review are used by State and recipient agencies, Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs), and FNS regional and headquarters offices for the purpose of administering USDA Food Distribution Programs. The programs assist American farmers and needy people by purchasing commodities and delivering them to State agencies and ITOs that, in turn, distribute them to organizations for use in providing food assistance to those in need. The information collected allows State agencies and ITOs to administer programs that align with their local preferences and gives FNS National and Regional offices the ability to ensure programs are complying with program regulations and policies.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and public agencies to comment on this proposed information collection for the Modernizing Channels of Communication with SNAP Participants study. This is a new information collection. The primary purpose of the study is to highlight best practices and lessons learned from various mobile communication strategies (MCS) implemented by State Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) agencies. This examination will help FNS and States improve communication and identify best practices that lead to improved program outcomes.

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. This is an extension of a currently approved collection under OMB No. 0584-0010, which is due to expire October 31, 2019.

The Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services announce the second and subsequent meetings of the 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (the Committee). These meetings will be open to the public. The period for written public comments to the Committee, which opened on March 12, 2019, will remain open throughout the Committee's deliberations. The public is invited to provide oral comments at two of the Committee's meetings.

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. This collection is a renewal of a currently approved information collection request.

This is a request for information to gather detailed comments from stakeholders about the serious deficiency process in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). The serious deficiency process provides a systematic way to correct serious management problems and, when that effort fails, protect the program through due process.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and public agencies to comment on a proposed information collection. This collection is an extension, without change, of a currently approved collection for maintaining the National Disqualified List of institutions, day care home providers, and individuals that have been terminated or otherwise disqualified from Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) participation. These federal requirements affect eligibility under the CACFP. The State Agencies are required to enter data as institutions and individuals become disqualified from participating in the CACFP. The collection is the result of a FNS web-based system constructed to update and maintain the list of disqualified institutions and individuals so that no State agency or sponsoring organization may approve any entity on the National Disqualified List to ensure the integrity of the Program.

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. This collection is a revision of a currently approved information collection for the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), which allows for the successful operation of SFSP.

This document contains corrections to the final rule entitled ``Simplified Cost Accounting and Other Actions to Reduce Paperwork in the Summer Food Service Program,'' published in the Federal Register on June 1, 2018. These corrections do not impose new program requirements.

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 for The Role of Job Search as a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Employment and Training (E&T) Component. This is a new information collection. This study informs the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) about the types of job search activities offered through SNAP E&T programs and their effectiveness in moving participants toward employment.

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 over a three year period. This collection is a revision of a currently approved three year collection. This notice announces the Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion's (CNPP) intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's approval of the information collection processes and instruments to be used during consumer research while testing nutrition education messages and products developed for the general public. The purpose of performing consumer research is to identify consumers' understanding of potential nutrition education messages and obtain their reaction to prototypes of nutrition education products, including internet based tools. The information collected will be used to refine messages and improve the usefulness of products as well as aid consumer understanding of Dietary Guidelines-grounded messages and related materials.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this Notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on proposed information collections. This revision of an existing collection announces the intent of the Food and Nutrition Service to revise and continue the requirements associated with initiating and conducting Federal collection actions against households with delinquent Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipient debts.