[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 143 (Tuesday, July 27, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 40547]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-19080]



[[Page 40547]]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; USDA National Hunger Clearinghouse Survey

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 FNS' intention to request renewal of Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) approval of the USDA National Hunger 
Clearinghouse Survey.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by September 27, 1999.

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 has practical utility; 
(b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed 
collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, 
and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to minimize 
the burden of the collection of information on those who are to 
respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical or other technological collection techniques or other forms 
of information technology. Comments may be sent to Joyce C. Willis, 
Director, Office of Consumer Affairs, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 813-B, 
Alexandria, VA 223302
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of 
public record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joyce C. Willis, (703) 305-2281.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: USDA National Hunger Clearinghouse Survey.
    OMB Number: 0584-0474.
    Expiration Date: 5/31/99.
    Type of Request: Renewal of OMB approval.
    Abstract: Section 26 of the National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 
1769g(d)) (copy attached), which was added to the Act by section 123 of 
Pub. L. 103-448 on November 2, 1994, mandated that FNS enter into a 
contract with a non-governmental organization to establish and maintain 
an information clearinghouse (named USDA National Hunger Clearinghouse) 
for groups that assist low-income individuals or communities regarding 
nutrition assistance programs or other assistance. FNS awarded the 4-
year contract to World Hunger Year (WHY) on September 29, 1995; the 
contract ends on September 30, 1999.
    Section 26 was amended by section 112 of Pub. L. 105-336 on October 
31, 1998 (applicable amendatory language attached), to extend funding 
for the Clearinghouse through fiscal year (FY) 2003. FNS is in the 
process of conducting the necessary competitive procurement activities 
to award this new contract.
    The USDA National Hunger Clearinghouse includes a database of non-
governmental, grassroots programs that work in the areas of hunger and 
nutrition, as well as a mailing list of relevant local governmental 
agencies. Under the existing contract, Clearinghouse staff established 
the database by reviewing relevant programs of organizations contained 
in several existing mailing lists. Updated program and mailing 
information about organizations culled from these lists were collected 
and entered into the database once each year (years 1, 2, and 3 of the 
contract) through a series of electronically-processed survey 
questionnaires sent through the mail. Returned surveys were scanned and 
data entered into the database. Clearinghouse staff followed up by 
phone or fax to ensure the highest possible return rate on the 
questionnaires. Surveys may also be completed on the World Wide Web. 
The return rate on questionnaires under the existing contract was 7 
percent in year 1 of the contract, 18 percent in year 2, and 27 in year 
3.
    In order to effectively maintain the database under the new 
contract, questionnaires will be sent to all organizations included in 
the database once each year (years 1 through 5 of the contract) in 
order to obtain updated information, and to add additional 
organizations to increase the size of the database.
    Each survey will be administered to each respondent only once each 
year.
    Estimate of the Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection 
of information is estimated to average 5 minutes for the survey (the 
survey includes one 2-page instrument).
    Respondents: The respondents are non-governmental organizations 
that have grassroots food and nutrition programs.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: For the first year of the 
contract, 1,850 respondents are estimated; and for years 2 through 5, 
1,750 respondents.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondents: One response in each 
of the 5 years.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: For the first year of 
the contract, 154 hours; and for years 2 through 5, 146 hours. The 
estimated total burden for all 5 years of the contract is 738 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Martha 
Newton, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, 
3101 Park Center Drive, Room 813-B, Alexandria, VA 22302.

    Dated: June 18, 1999.
Samuel Chambers, Jr.,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 99-19080 Filed 7-26-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-P