[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 170 (Wednesday, September 2, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46749-46750]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-23577]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request--Study of the Implementation of the School Meals 
Initiative for Healthy Children

AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Food and Nutrition Service's intention to request 
Office of Management and Budget approval of the Study of the 
Implementation of the School Meals Initiative for Healthy Children.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by November 2, 
1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments are invited on: (a) 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; (b) 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; (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 are 
to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology. Comments may be sent to: Alberta 
C. Frost, Director, Office of Analysis and Evaluation, Food and 
Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park Center 
Drive, Alexandria, VA 22302.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval. All 
comments will also become a matter of public record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the proposed information collection forms should be directed 
to Alberta C. Frost, (703) 305-2117.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: The Study of the Implementation of the School Meals 
Initiative for Healthy Children.
    OMB Number: 0584-0485.
    Expiration Date: 10/31/2000.
    Type of Request: New collection of information for second year of 
study.
    Abstract: The Study of the Implementation of the School Meals 
Initiative (SMI) for Healthy Children is a three-year study designed to 
collect information needed to address current policy issues including 
those associated with the School Meals Initiative for Healthy Children 
and Team Nutrition. A major part of this study is intended to provide 
the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) with descriptive data on the 
status of School Food Authorities' (SFAs) implementation of the School 
Meals Initiative for Healthy Children and the changes that have 
occurred in the food service operations as a result of implementing 
this new regulation. FNS will examine trends in SMI implementation and 
characteristics of SFAs implementing certain elements of SMI and Team 
Nutrition.
    A nationally representative sample of approximately 2,250 public 
school districts was selected in 1997 to participate in a three-year 
longitudinal survey which began in School Year 1997-98. Data is being 
collected from the SFA directors using a mixed mode approach of mail/
telephone surveys. The study combines elements of longitudinal research 
and cross-sectional surveys. A brief telephone survey of all State 
Child Nutrition Directors will be included each year. This request for 
OMB approval is for the second year data collection instrumentation 
only. A separate OMB package will be submitted for data collection 
instruments in the third year. Estimates of burden shown below are 
based upon field experience from the first year of data collection.

[[Page 46750]]

    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden is estimated to range 
between 45 and 60 minutes for School Food Service Authority directors; 
and range between 20 and 30 minutes for State Child Nutrition 
directors;
    Respondents: State Child Nutrition directors will be asked to 
respond to a brief telephone survey. SFA directors will be asked to 
respond to a self-administered mail survey with telephone follow-up.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 50 State Child Nutrition 
directors, 2,250 SFA directors.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: One.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,850 hours.

    Dated: August 27, 1998.
George A. Braley,
Acting Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
[FR Doc. 98-23577 Filed 9-1-98; 8:45 am]
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