Food and Nutrition Service 2021 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

FNS is seeking public comment on its intent to ask the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to extend approval of the information collection under OMB approval #0584-0654 from January 31, 2022 until August 27, 2023. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on the proposed extension of this currently approved information collection, which focuses on FNS' information collection needs due to COVID-19 based on information currently known.

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.

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 information collection from organizations fighting hunger and poverty.

This Notice announces that the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) plans to add WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program Benefit Delivery Modernization (FMNP BDM) Grants, as authorized under Section 1106 of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) (Pub. L. 117-2), to its list of approved programs under the Uniform Grant Application for Non-Entitlement Discretionary Grants, as approved under OMB Control Number: 0584-0512 (Expiration Date: July 31, 2022); and that FNS intends to collect additional information for FMNP BDM Grants outside of what is currently in the uniform package. This Notice solicits public comments on the additional information to be collected for the FMNP BDM Grants.

The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) to gain insights from interested parties about establishing a resource center that supports State and local Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) agencies in improving the WIC application and certification journey. This is a request for information that may inform a future cooperative agreement. It is not a solicitation for proposals or proposal abstracts. The purpose of this notice is to: 1. Determine the level of interest that exists for the proposed service; 2. Obtain information about the approach to providing the service, including needs, capabilities, and requirements; and 3. Gather information on the potential constraints and risks associated with this approach. Information gathered through this RFI may be used to inform potential strategies for supporting and improving State and local WIC operations. FNS welcomes comments from all stakeholders.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on the proposed information collection. This is a request for a new collection to conduct demonstration pilot projects to test the redemption of SNAP benefits through mobile payment technologies and issue a request for volunteers (RFV) to solicit applications from SNAP State agencies (State agencies) for these pilots.

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 for the Food Programs Reporting System (FPRS). The purpose of FPRS is to enable data gathering for the reporting of data related to Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). FPRS is the primary collection point for FNS program performance statistics and financial data from State agencies, Indian Tribal Organizations and U.S. Territories running and operating the nutrition assistance programs. FNS is announcing a revision to the reporting requirements in the SNAP Employment and Training program, specifically FNS-583, SNAP Employment and Training Program Activity Report, due to changes in rulemaking from the final rule titled, ``Employment and Training Opportunities in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program,'' RIN 0584-AE68 published January 5, 2021. This notice also announces the proposed revision of the FNS-366B, Program Activity Statement, to revise the currently collected data on initial and recertification applications. FNS is not requesting any other updates in this request.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) 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 for the School Nutrition and Meal Cost Study-II (SNMCS-II; OMB control number 0584-0648, expiration date 09/30/2022), with updated data collection instruments for school year (SY) 2022-2023. The purpose of SNMCS-II is to provide a comprehensive picture of school food service operations and the nutritional quality, cost, and acceptability of meals served in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP).

Pursuant to the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974, and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular No. A-108, notice is given that a component agency, the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is proposing to modify the system of records, currently titled USDA/FNS-11, ``Information on Persons Identified as Responsible for Serious Deficiencies, Proposed for Disqualification, or Disqualified to Participate as Principals or Family Day Care Home Operators in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP),'' 69 FR 6933, published February 12, 2004, to include unaffiliated centers and responsible individuals of unaffiliated centers terminated or otherwise disqualified from participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program, and service institutions and responsible individuals that have been terminated or otherwise disqualified from participation in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). The system of records will continue to include the records of institutions, day care home providers, and responsible individuals who have been terminated or otherwise disqualified from participation in the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

The Food and Nutrition Service published a document on July 16, 2021, concerning reimbursement rates for the National School Lunch, Special Milk, and School Breakfast Programs. The document contained an incorrect table entry.

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 the currently approved collection for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Assessment and Tailoring Study (WIC NATS) [OMB Control Number 0584- 0663]. The revision adds data collection from in-person site visits, where the data collection activities planned for the currently approved remote site visits will be replicated for use with 30 WIC clinic sites for in-person site visits once WIC clinic sites safely resume in-person operations.

This interim final rule delays from September 24, 2021, until September 24, 2022, the implementation date of certain provisions of the final rule entitled, ``Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): 2008 Farm Bill Provisions on Clarification of Split Issuance; Accrual of Benefits and Definition Changes'' (``the Final Rule''), which was published in the Federal Register on August 24, 2020 and became effective on September 23, 2020. The original implementation date for the final rule was September 24, 2021. For reasons explained below, mostly arising from the burden on State agency resources caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, FNS is changing the implementation date for certain provisions of the final rule to September 24, 2022, effective immediately.

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 Food Security Status and Well-Being of Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP) Participants in Puerto Rico study. This is a new information collection request. This study informs the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) about household food security, health, and well-being among Puerto Rico's population.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on the Agency's proposed revision to the currently approved information collection for the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). FNS uses this collection to obtain account and record information from State and program operators that is necessary to effectively manage the SFSP and ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory Program requirements.

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, Guam, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. 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. Special Note: For the school year beginning July 1, 2021 and ending June 30, 2022, school food authorities operating the National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option under Food and Nutrition Service- issued nationwide waivers #85 (Nationwide Waiver to Allow the Seamless Summer Option through School Year 2021-2022) and #86 (Nationwide Waiver to Allow Summer Food Service Program Reimbursement Rates in School Year 2021-2022) may receive the reimbursement rates prescribed for the Summer Food Service Program (85 FR 86901) in lieu of the reimbursement rates established in this notice. The Summer Food Service Program reimbursement rates made available to these school food authorities will similarly be updated effective January 1, 2022 through a future notice published in the Federal Register.

This notice announces the annual adjustments to the national average payment rates for meals and snacks served in child care centers, outside-school-hours care centers, at-risk afterschool care centers, and adult day care centers; the food service payment rates for meals and snacks served in day care homes; and the administrative reimbursement rates for sponsoring organizations of day care homes, to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index. Further adjustments are made to these rates to reflect the higher costs of providing meals in Alaska and Hawaii. The adjustments contained in this notice are made on an annual basis each July, as required by the laws and regulations governing the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

This final rule removes from the Code of Federal Regulations the final rule published on December 5, 2019, titled ``Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Requirements for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents.'' This action responds to a decision of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia that vacated the rule.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on the proposed information collection. This is a revision of the currently approved collection for the applications, periodic reporting, and notices burden calculations for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

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 for Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) for the reporting burden associated with administering P-EBT.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is publishing for public comment a summary of a proposed information collection. This is a revision of a currently approved collection.

The final rule entitled Employment and Training Opportunities in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program was published on January 5, 2021. The Office of Management and Budget cleared the associated information collection requirements (ICR) on March 16, 2021. This document announces approval of the ICR.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (``Department'') announces adjusted income eligibility guidelines to be used by State agencies in determining the income eligibility of persons applying to participate in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). These income eligibility guidelines are to be used in conjunction with the WIC 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 is a revision of a currently approved collection and the information collected is used to facilitate a communication network among organizations participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and schools participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP). This communication network is implemented under the Team Nutrition initiative of the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), Child Nutrition Programs.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 this notice announces the Food and Nutrition Service's intent to request approval to collect information via an online form. This is a revision of a currently approved collection for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Forms: FNS-0625 Resource Sharing Form. This form update will help improve the submission process by clarifying the information requested for certain fields, thus providing data that is accurate and beneficial to stakeholders using the resource. These updates will also align with changes to the SNAP-Ed Program in the areas of evaluation and impact. This voluntary form is used by SNAP Education (SNAP-Ed) personnel and nutrition education material developers to submit materials for review and possible inclusion in the SNAP-Ed Library (formerly known as the SNAP-Ed Connection Resource Finder). The following materials may be submitted: obesity prevention education materials targeting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)-eligible persons; materials related to the development, implementation, administration and evaluation of SNAP Education (SNAP-Ed) programs; reports or other materials that demonstrate the effectiveness of SNAP-Ed funded programs; other materials developed by SNAP-Ed funded programs. The SNAP-Ed Library may be used by SNAP-Ed personnel and others to easily search for resources and to learn about the work of other SNAP-Ed programs. Revisions to this form will not add additional burden to users. Comments: Comments are invited on (a) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and the assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technology. Comments should be sent to the address in the preamble. All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval. All comments will become a matter of public record.