Food and Nutrition Service 2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Child and Adult Care Food Program: Meal Pattern Revisions Related to the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010
Document Number: 2016-09412
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-04-25
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
This final rule updates the meal pattern requirements for the Child and Adult Care Food Program to better align them with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, as required by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. This rule requires centers and day care homes participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program to serve more whole grains and a greater variety of vegetables and fruit, and reduces the amount of added sugars and solid fats in meals. In addition, this final rule supports mothers who breastfeed and improves consistency with the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children and with other Child Nutrition Programs. Several of the changes are extended to the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, and Special Milk Program. These changes are based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, science-based recommendations made by the National Academy of Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies), cost and practical considerations, and stakeholder's input. This is the first major revision of the Child and Adult Care Food Program meal patterns since the Program's inception in 1968. These improvements to the meals served in the Child and Adult Care Food Program are expected to safeguard the health of young children by ensuring healthy eating habits are developed early, and improve the wellness of adult participants.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Standard Utility Allowances Based on the Receipt of Energy Assistance Payments Under the Agricultural Act of 2014
Document Number: 2016-09114
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2016-04-20
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
This proposed rule would revise Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) regulations in accordance with amendments made to the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (the Act) that requires States that elect to use a heating or cooling standard utility allowance (HCSUA) in SNAP eligibility determinations to make the HCSUA available to households that have received a payment under the Low- Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 (LIHEAA) (known as a Low- Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) payment), or other similar energy assistance program payment, greater than $20 annually in the current month or in the immediately preceding 12 months.
Requirements for the Distribution and Control of Donated Foods-The Emergency Food Assistance Program: Implementation of the Agricultural Act of 2014
Document Number: 2016-08639
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-04-19
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
This rule revises and clarifies requirements to ensure that USDA donated foods are distributed, stored, and managed in the safest, most efficient, and cost-effective manner, at State and recipient agency levels. The rule also reduces administrative and reporting requirements for State distributing agencies, revises or clarifies regulatory provisions relating to accountability for donated foods, and rewrites much of the regulations in a more user-friendly, ``plain language,'' format. Lastly, the rule revises and clarifies specific requirements to conform more closely to related requirements in corresponding regulations and current law.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2016-08175
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-04-11
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Review of Major Changes in Program Design and Management Evaluation Systems; Approval of Information Collection Request
Document Number: 2016-08031
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-04-08
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
The final rule entitled Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Review of Major Changes in Program Design and Management Evaluation Systems was published on January 19, 2016. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) cleared the associated information collection requirements (ICR) on March 10, 2016. This document announces approval of the ICR.
Agency Information Collection Activities: Information Collection; Comment Request-Report of Disqualification From Participation-Institutions and Responsible Principals/Individuals (FNS-843) and Report of Disqualification From Participation-Individually Disqualified Responsible Principal/Individual or Day Care Home Provider (FNS-844)
Document Number: 2016-07913
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-04-06
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
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.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Promotion; Correction
Document Number: 2016-07454
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2016-04-06
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
This document contains a correction to the proposed rule published in the Federal Register on March 14, 2016, ``Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Promotion.'' The Food and Nutrition Service published a proposed rule in the Federal Register, 81 FR 13290, on March 14, 2016, to 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 (FNA), for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) promotion and outreach activities. The summary of the proposed rule is being corrected to aid in clarity to the reader.
Enhancing Retailer Standards in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Clarification of Proposed Rule and Extension of Comment Period
Document Number: 2016-07793
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2016-04-05
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
This action extends the comment period and responds to questions posed by commenters about certain aspects of a proposed rule pertaining to the eligibility of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) retail food stores that was published in the Federal Register on February 17, 2016. The Agricultural Act of 2014 (2014 Farm Bill) amended the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (the Act) to increase the requirement that certain SNAP authorized retail food stores have available on a continual basis at least three varieties of items in each of four staple food categories, to a mandatory minimum of seven varieties. The 2014 Farm Bill also amended the Act to increase, for certain SNAP authorized retail food stores, the minimum number of categories in which perishable foods are required from two to three. The proposed rule would codify these mandatory requirements.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention Grant Program
Document Number: 2016-07179
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-03-31
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
This rule adopts the interim rule implementing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) nutrition education and obesity prevention grant program with changes as provided in this rule. This rule also amends SNAP regulations to implement section 28 of the Food and Nutrition Act (FNA) of 2008, as added by section 241 of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (HHFKA) of 2010, to award grants to States for provision of nutrition education and obesity prevention programs. These programs provide services for eligible individuals that promote healthy food choices consistent with the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs). The rule provides State agencies with requirements for implementing section 28, including the grant award process and describes the process for allocating the Federal grant funding for each State's approved SNAP-Ed plan authorized under the FNA to carry out nutrition education and obesity prevention services each fiscal year. This final rule also implements section 4028 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (Farm Bill of 2014), which authorizes physical activity promotion in addition to promotion of healthy food choices as part of this nutrition education and obesity prevention program.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2016-07002
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-03-29
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Child Nutrition Program Integrity
Document Number: 2016-06801
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2016-03-29
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
This rule proposes to codify several provisions of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 affecting the integrity of the Child Nutrition Programs, including the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), the Special Milk Program for Children, the School Breakfast Program, the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and State Administrative Expense Funds. The Department is proposing to establish criteria for assessments against State agencies and program operators who jeopardize the integrity of any Child Nutrition Program; establish procedures for termination and disqualification of entities in the SFSP; modify State agency site review requirements in the CACFP; establish State liability for reimbursements incurred as a result of a State's failure to conduct timely hearings in the CACFP; establish criteria for increased State audit funding for CACFP; establish procedures to prohibit the participation of entities or individuals terminated from any of the Child Nutrition Programs; establish serious deficiency and termination procedures for unaffiliated sponsored centers in the CACFP; eliminate cost-reimbursement food service management company contracts in the NSLP; and establish procurement training requirements for State agency and school food authority staff in the NSLP. In addition, this rulemaking would make several operational changes to improve oversight of an institution's financial management and would also include several technical corrections to the regulations. The proposed rule is intended to improve the integrity of all Child Nutrition Programs.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2016-06924
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-03-28
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2016-06821
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-03-25
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Employment and Training Program Monitoring, Oversight and Reporting Measures
Document Number: 2016-06549
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-03-24
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Section 4022 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 requires that, not later than 18 months after the date of enactment, USDA (the Department) shall issue an interim final rule implementing the amendments made by subsection (a)(2). Pursuant to that requirement, this rule implements the employment and training (E&T) provisions of section 4022(a)(2) of the Agricultural Act of 2014. Section 4022(a)(2) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 provides the Department additional oversight authority of State agencies' administration of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) E&T program. In addition, it requires the Department to develop national reporting measures and for State agencies to report outcome data to the Department. It also requires that the Department monitor and assess State agencies' E&T programs, and provides the Department with the authority to require State agencies to make improvements to their programs as necessary. Finally, State agencies are required to submit reports on the impact of certain E&T components and, in certain States, the E&T services provided to able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs).
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2016-06465
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-03-23
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Child Nutrition Programs: Income Eligibility Guidelines
Document Number: 2016-06463
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-03-23
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
This notice announces the Department's annual adjustments to the Income Eligibility Guidelines to be used in determining eligibility for free and reduced price meals and free milk for the period from July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017. These guidelines are used by schools, institutions, and facilities participating in the National School Lunch Program (and Commodity School Program), School Breakfast Program, Special Milk Program for Children, Child and Adult Care Food Program and Summer Food Service Program. The annual adjustments are required by section 9 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. The guidelines are intended to direct benefits to those children most in need and are revised annually to account for changes in the Consumer Price Index.
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC): 2016/2017 Income Eligibility Guidelines
Document Number: 2016-06222
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-03-18
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
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 Program (WIC). These income eligibility guidelines are to be used in conjunction with the WIC Regulations.
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request-Understanding the Anti-Fraud Measures of Large SNAP Retailers
Document Number: 2016-05896
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-03-18
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on this proposed information collection. This is a new collection for the purpose of learning about the types of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) related fraud activity observed by large retailers and the methods they use to prevent fraud and minimize their losses. The goal of the information collection is to learn more about the types of SNAP fraud that occur in large retailer settings; document retailer practices to detect, deter, and deal with fraud (collectively known as loss prevention or loss prevention practices); and determine which practices could provide information that would help FNS in detecting and preventing SNAP fraud.
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request-Successful Approaches To Reduce Sodium in School Meals
Document Number: 2016-05895
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-03-16
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
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 new collection to study Successful Approaches to Reduce Sodium in School Meals.
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request-Application of Schools Applying for Recognition Through HealthierUS School Challenge: Smarter Lunchrooms
Document Number: 2016-05893
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-03-16
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
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 new collection for reviewing and evaluating the practices of schools participating in both the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs as a part of their application for recognition through HealthierUS School Challenge: Smarter Lunchrooms. The goal is to highlight and recognize those schools that are achieving success above and beyond Federal meal pattern requirements in the areas of actively implementing smarter lunchroom techniques, Smart Snacks, nutrition education, physical education, local school wellness policies, and other criteria for excellence.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Promotion
Document Number: 2016-05583
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2016-03-14
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
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 (FNA), for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) promotion and outreach activities. Specifically, Section 4018 of the 2014 Farm Bill prohibits the use of Federal funds appropriated in the FNA from being used for; recruitment activities designed to persuade an individual to apply for SNAP benefits, television, radio, or billboard advertisements that are designed to promote SNAP benefits and enrollment. This provision does not apply to Disaster SNAP, or any agreements with foreign governments designed to promote SNAP benefits and enrollment. Section 4018 also prohibits any entity that receives funds under the FNA from compensating any person engaged in outreach or recruitment activities based on the number of individuals who apply to receive SNAP benefits. Lastly, Section 4018 modifies Section 16(a)(4) of the FNA to prohibit the Federal government from paying administrative costs associated with recruitment activities designed to persuade an individual to apply for program benefits or that promote the program through television, radio, or billboard advertisements. This proposed rule would also impact the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), both of which receive funding and/or foods authorized under the FNA.
Agency Information Collection Activities: Study of WIC Food Package Costs and Cost Containment
Document Number: 2016-05338
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-03-10
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
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 new Information Collection for The Study of WIC Food Package Costs and Cost Containment.
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request-Information Collection for the National School Lunch Program
Document Number: 2016-05312
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-03-10
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
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 the FNS-640 Administrative Review Data Report associated with the currently approved information collection for the National School Lunch Program.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2016-05065
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-03-08
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed collection; Comment Request-Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)
Document Number: 2016-04443
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-03-01
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
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 for the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP).
Agency Information Collection Activities: WIC Program Regulations
Document Number: 2016-04262
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-03-01
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
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 to add the submittal of Authorized Product Lists in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) into the collection.
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC): Implementation of Electronic Benefit Transfer-Related Provisions
Document Number: 2016-04261
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-03-01
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
This final rule considers public comments submitted in response to the proposed rule published February 28, 2013 and implements the provisions set forth in the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 related to electronic benefit transfer (EBT) for the WIC Program (also referred to herein as ``the Program''). The HHFKA amended provisions of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (CNA) and was enacted on December 13, 2010. EBT provisions of the HHFKA and other EBT implementation requirements included in this final rule are: A definition of EBT; a mandate that all WIC State agencies implement EBT delivery method by October 1, 2020; system management and reporting requirements; revisions to current provisions that prohibit imposition of costs on vendors; a requirement for the Secretary of Agriculture to establish minimum lane equipage standards; a requirement for the Secretary of Agriculture to establish technical standards and operating rules; and a requirement that State agencies use the National Universal Product Code (NUPC) database.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2016-04270
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-02-29
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2016-04269
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-02-29
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request; State Administrative Expense Funds
Document Number: 2016-03788
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-02-23
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
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 State administrative expense funds expended in the operation of the Child Nutrition Programs (7 CFR parts 210, 215, 220, 226 and 250) administered under the Child Nutrition Act of 1966. The current approval for the information collection burden associated with 7 CFR part 235 expires on May 31, 2016.
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request-Generic Clearance To Conduct Formative Research
Document Number: 2016-03385
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-02-19
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and other interested parties to comment on a proposed information collection. This collection is a revision of a currently approved collection. This information collection will conduct research in support of FNS' goal of delivering science-based nutrition education to targeted audiences. From development through testing of materials and tools with the target audience, FNS plans to conduct data collections that involve formative research including focus groups, interviews (dyad, triad, telephone, etc.), surveys and Web-based collection tools.
Enhancing Retailer Standards in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Document Number: 2016-03006
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2016-02-17
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) proposes to make changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) regulations pertaining to the eligibility of SNAP retail food stores. The Agricultural Act of 2014 (2014 Farm Bill) amended the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (the Act) to increase the requirement that certain SNAP authorized retail food stores have available on a continual basis at least three varieties of items in each of four staple food categories, to a mandatory minimum of seven varieties. The 2014 Farm Bill also amended the Act to increase, for certain SNAP authorized retail food stores, the minimum number of categories in which perishable foods are required from two to three. This proposed rule would codify these mandatory requirements. Further, using existing authority in the Act and feedback from a Request for Information that included five listening sessions in urban and rural locations across the nation and generated 233 public comments, FNS is proposing several additional changes. Among other items, these proposed changes address depth of stock, amend the definition of staple foods, and amend the definition of ``retail food store'' to clarify when a retailer is a restaurant rather than a retail food store. The rulemaking also proposes that FNS begin disclosing to the public specific information about retailers who have violated SNAP rules.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2016-02742
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-02-11
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2016-02643
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-02-10
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request-SNAP Performance Reporting System, Management Evaluation
Document Number: 2016-01728
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-02-01
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
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 of a currently approved collection under OMB No. 0584-0010 which is due to expire May 31, 2016.
Correction To Request for Information: Software Vendors of State and Local Management Information Systems (MIS) and Other Technology Solutions for the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs
Document Number: 2016-01519
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-02-01
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
This notice was republished in error on January 13, 2016 at 81 FR 1599. This notice was originally published on February 25, 2015 at 80 FR 10047. The comment period remains closed and no further comments are being accepted at this time.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2016-01609
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-01-27
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request-Community Eligibility Provision Characteristics Study (CEP)
Document Number: 2016-01518
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-01-27
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
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 new collection for the Community Eligibility Provision Characteristics Study (CEP).
SNAP Requirement for National Directory of New Hires Employment Verification and Annual Program Activity Reporting
Document Number: 2016-01402
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-01-26
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
The Food and Nutrition Service is codifying the requirement for State agencies to verify applicant employment data through the National Directory of New Hires (NDNH) for the determination of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility and correct amount of benefits, pursuant to section 4013 of the Agricultural Act of 2014. This interim final rule requires that State agencies access employment data through the NDNH at the time of SNAP certification, including recertification, and aims to improve Program integrity by reducing the risk of improper payments due to unreported or misreported income. This rule further amends regulations to change the reporting frequency requirement for the ``Program and Budget Summary Statement Part BProgram Activity Statement'' from an annual submission based on the State fiscal year to a quarterly submission based on the Federal fiscal year.
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Document Number: 2016-01256
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-01-22
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Requested-Review of Child Nutrition Data and Analysis for Program Management
Document Number: 2016-01005
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-01-20
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
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 new collection to review and document State and School Food Authority (SFA) National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) Management Information Systems (MIS) in order to provide FNS with a baseline assessment of the MIS system and to inform FNS regarding how States and SFAs use data systems beyond fulfilling FNS reporting requirements.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Review of Major Changes in Program Design and Management Evaluation Systems
Document Number: 2016-00674
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-01-19
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
This rule finalizes provisions of the proposed rule entitled Review of Major Changes in Program Design and Management Evaluation Systems, which was published May 3, 2011. This final rule amends the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (formerly the Food Stamp Program) regulations to implement section 4116 of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (FCEA). Section 4116 of the FCEA, Review of Major Changes in Program Design, requires the United States Department of Agriculture (the Department) to identify standards for major changes in operations of State agencies' administration of SNAP. The provision also requires State agencies to notify the Department if they implement a major change in operations and to collect and report data that can be used to identify and correct problems relating to integrity and access, particularly for certain vulnerable households. This final rule establishes criteria for changes that would be considered ``major changes'' in program operations and identifies the data State agencies must report in order to identify problems relating to integrity and access. It also sets forth when and how State agencies must report on the implementation of a major change. This rule also amends Management Evaluation (ME) Review regulations by modifying the requirements for State reviews. The rule revises the definitions of large, medium and small project areas. Finally, it removes sections of the regulations pertaining to coupons and coupon storage since they are obsolete.
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request-Determining Eligibility for Free and Reduced Price Meals and Free Milk
Document Number: 2016-00514
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-01-13
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
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 for determining eligibility for free and reduced price meals and free milk as stated in 7 CFR part 245. 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 current approval for the information collection burden associated with 7 CFR part 245 expires on April 30, 2016. The revisions being requested are primarily adjustments due to updating the number of respondents.
Summer Food Service Program 2016 Reimbursement Rates
Document Number: 2016-00506
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-01-13
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
This notice informs the public of the annual adjustments to the reimbursement rates for meals served in the Summer Food Service Program for Children. These adjustments address changes in the Consumer Price Index, as required under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. The 2016 reimbursement rates are presented as a combined set of rates to highlight simplified cost accounting procedures. The 2016 rates are also presented individually, as separate operating and administrative rates of reimbursement, to show the effect of the Consumer Price Index adjustment on each rate.
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request-Generic Clearance for the Collection of Qualitative Feedback on Agency Service Delivery
Document Number: 2016-00505
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-01-13
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public to comment on the ``Generic Clearance for the Collection of Qualitative Feedback on Agency Service Delivery '' for approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). This collection is being developed as part of a Federal Government-wide effort to streamline the process for seeking feedback from the public on service delivery. This notice announces our intent to submit this ``fast track'' collection to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval and to solicit comments on specific aspects for the proposed information collection.
Request for Information: Software Vendors of State and Local Management Information Systems (MIS) and Other Technology Solutions for the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs
Document Number: 2016-00504
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-01-13
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
This is a request for information from Management Information Systems (MIS) software and hardware vendors and developers (``vendors'') to learn about the functionality of State and School Food Authority National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program (NSLP/SBP) data management information systems. It 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. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking information that will inform future data reporting requirements for the Department's oversight and management of NSLP/SBP. The Department is aware that all States and many school districts have installed and implemented MIS or other technology solutions to improve State and local program management. To better understand the availability and implementation of these solutions, USDA is requesting information from vendors about NSLP/SBP data systems they offer and have deployed at the State and local levels. The objectives of this request for information (RFI) are to: 1. Obtain background data to inform later research on State and School Food Authority (SFA) NSLP/SBP data management information systems. 2. Describe the functionality and capabilities of systems currently in use by State agencies and SFAs, or available to States and SFA for purchase. 3. Describe the typical costs of system development, installation, maintenance, and upgrades. 4. Identify which States and SFAs are using particular systems.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Photo Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Card Implementation Requirements
Document Number: 2015-33053
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2016-01-06
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Under Section 7(h)(9) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended (the Act), States have the option to require that a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card contains a photo of one or more household members. The Act and existing program regulations further provide that a State that implements a photo on the EBT card shall establish procedures to ensure that any other appropriate member of the household or any authorized representative of the household may use the card. This proposed rule would provide clear parameters on these requirements. In addition, this rule proposes to amend program regulations to codify guidance that was issued December 29, 2014, requiring States that intend to implement the photo EBT card option to submit a comprehensive Implementation Plan that addresses certain operational issues to ensure State implementation is consistent with all Federal requirements and that program access is protected for participating households. In this proposed rule, the United States Department of Agriculture (the Department or USDA) would clarify that the State option to place a photo on an EBT card is a function of issuance. Pursuant to this, State agencies would be prohibited from having photo EBT card requirements affect the eligibility process. This includes ensuring that the option is appropriately implemented in a manner that does not impose additional conditions of eligibility or adversely impact the ability of appropriate household members to access the nutrition assistance they need. Failure to cooperate may result in penalties, including loss of federal financial participation. The proposed rule would also codify other program updates to reflect the current operations of the program.
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request-Regional Office Administered Program (ROAP) Child Nutrition Payment Center (for the National School Lunch, School Breakfast, and Special Milk Programs)
Document Number: 2015-33027
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-01-04
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on this existing information collection. This collection is a renewal of a currently approved collection for reporting annual application and monthly claim data via the Child Nutrition Payment Center for the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, and the Special Milk Program for schools and institutions administered by a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Regional Office Administered Program.
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