[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 18 (Friday, January 27, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 5527-5528]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-2045]




DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Consumer Service

7 CFR Parts 210 and 220


National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program; 
Notice of Public Meeting

AGENCY: Food and Consumer Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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SUMMARY: The Healthy Meals for Healthy Americans Act of 1994 amended 
the National School Lunch Act to require that meals served through the 
National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs comply with the 
Dietary Guidelines for Americans beginning no later than the 
commencement of the 1996-97 school year. Compliance with the Dietary 
Guidelines is to be achieved through a variety of meal planning 
approaches including ``food-based menu systems.'' The food-based menu 
planning concept is published elsewhere in today's Federal Register. 
Further, the Act requires that the Department conduct a public meeting 
to discuss the proposed food-based menu systems. This Notice announces 
the meeting.

DATES: The meeting is scheduled for Friday, February 17, 1995, from 
8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Persons who cannot attend the meeting may submit 
written comments on the proposed regulation. To be assured of 
consideration, comments must be postmarked on or before March 13, 1995, 
and comments transmitted via E-mail must be sent no later than 5 p.m. 
Eastern Standard Time on that same date.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in the Williamsburg Room, Room 
#104A, Administration Building, USDA, 12th and Jefferson Drive, SW., 
Washington, DC 20250. Written comments should be sent to: Mr. Robert M. 
Eadie, Chief, Policy and Program Development Branch, Child Nutrition 
Division, Food and Consumer Service (FCS), USDA, 3101 Park Center 
Drive, Alexandria, Virginia, 22302. Comments may be sent via E-mail to: 
[email protected]. If comments are sent electronically, commenters 
should designate ``receipt requested'' to be notified by E-mail that 
the message has been received by USDA. Written submissions, the meeting 
transcript, and comment letters may be reviewed by the public in Room 
1007 in the Alexandria office of FCS listed above during regular 
business hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Wasserman, Food and Consumer 
Service, USDA, 3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, Virginia 22302; 
(703) 305-2281.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This action is not a rule as defined by the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612) and thus is exempt from 
the provisions of that Act. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 3507), no new recordkeeping or reporting 
requirements have been included that are subject to approval from the 
Office of Management and Budget.
    The National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs are listed 
in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance under No. 10.553 and No. 
10.555, respectively, and are subject to the provisions of Executive 
Order 12372, which requires intergovernmental consultation with State 
and local officials. (See 7 CFR part 3015, subpart V, and the final 
rule related notice published at 48 FR 29112, June 24, 1983.)

Background

    Section 112(c) of Public Law (Pub. L.) 103-448, the Healthy Meals 
for Healthy Americans Act of 1994, enacted on November 2, 1994, amended 
section 9 of the National School Lunch Act (NSLA), 42 U.S.C. 1758(f), 
to require that the Department develop ``food-based'' systems for 
school food authorities to use in planning and preparing meals served 
under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast 
Program (SBP). Section 106(b) of Pub. L. 103-448 also amended section 9 
of the NSLA, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1758(f)(2)(A), to require that school meals 
meet the Dietary Guidelines for Americans by July 1, 1996, unless the 
State agency permits later implementation.
    Section 112(c)(2) of Pub. L. 103-448 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1760(k)(2)) 
also requires that the Department hold a public meeting to ``discuss 
and obtain public comments on the proposed rule'' not later than 45 
days after the publication of the proposed regulation. The legislation 
states that the meeting shall be held with, among others, 
representatives of affected parties, such as program administrators, 
school food service personnel, parents, and teachers. Further, the 
legislation mentions inclusion of organizations, such as public 
interest antihunger organizations, health and consumer groups, food 
manufacturers and vendors, and nutritionists.
    In addition to this Notice, the Department is issuing invitations 
to organizations and individuals who may [[Page 5528]] have an interest 
in this proposal. Among those specifically invited are the American 
School Food Service Association, National PTA, Public Voice for Food 
and Health Policy, American Heart Association, American Dietetic 
Association, Center for Science in the Public Interest, the American 
Academy of Pediatrics, and the National Education Association, as well 
as organizations representing major food manufacturers or vendors that 
sell food products to the school meal programs. In addition to hearing 
comments from invitees, one hour will be reserved at the close of the 
meeting for observers who, on a first-come, first-serve basis and 
subject to time limits, wish to present their comments. Written 
material will also be accepted from participants and observers who want 
to provide additional information.
    An official transcript plus any additional material submitted 
through this public meeting will be considered in development of the 
final regulations on nutrition standards and menu planning approaches.

    Dated: January 18, 1995.
William Ludwig,
Administrator, Food and Consumer Service.
[FR Doc. 95-2045 Filed 1-26-95; 8:45 am]
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