[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 239 (Tuesday, December 14, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 69684]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-31369]



[[Page 69684]]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request--Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Nutrition Education 
and Promotion Campaign

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 an information collection 
for the Food and Nutrition Service Nutrition Education and Promotion 
Campaign.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by February 14, 
2000.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent to: Judy F. Wilson, Director, Nutrition 
Services Staff, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 502, Alexandria, VA 22302.
    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 technology.
    All comments 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 Gerry Howell, (703) 305-2568.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Food and Nutrition Service Nutrition Education and Promotion 
Campaign.
    OMB Number: Not yet assigned.
    Expiration Date: N/A.
    Type of Request: New collection of information.
    Abstract: Diet has a significant impact on the health of citizens 
and is linked to four leading causes of disease and premature death. 
Diet also plays a role in the development of other health conditions, 
which can reduce the quality of life and contribute to premature death. 
The Food and Nutrition Service plans to develop and launch a 
progressive, five-year nutrition education and promotion campaign that 
will convey science-based, behavior-focused nutrition messages about 
healthy eating and physical activity. These messages shall be 
formulated based on the most recent edition of the Dietary Guidelines 
for Americans and the Food Guide Pyramid. The primary target audience 
for this campaign is preschool and school-aged (age 2 to 18 years) 
children including those from culturally and ethnically diverse 
backgrounds, participating or eligible to participate in FNS nutrition 
assistance programs and their caregivers. Caregivers refers to parents 
or guardians, child care providers, after school providers, and 
teachers. Educational materials, public service announcements, an FNS 
mascot, central themes, a slogan, key messages and strategies that 
promote healthy eating and physical activity will be tested using focus 
groups and semi-structured short interviews. The focus groups will 
provide information about the acceptability of materials and products 
during the developmental process and on final products. Semi-structured 
short interviews will be conducted with FNS program recipients, staff, 
stakeholders and consumer volunteers at the State and local level to 
determine acceptability and efficacy of materials and products 
developed. Interviews will be integrated into other program activities 
as appropriate.
    Affected Public: Recipients of FNS nutrition education activities, 
State and local staff administering FNS programs, FNS stakeholders and 
consumers.
    Estimated number of respondents: For the focus groups, 
approximately 100 respondents. Approximately 100 respondents will be 
asked to participate in the short semi-structured interviews.
    Estimated Time Per Response: Focus groups of staff, stakeholders 
and consumers will average no longer than 3 hours. Semi-structured 
interviews of these same groups will average no longer than 15 minutes 
duration.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 325 hours.

    Dated: November 26, 1999.
Samuel Chambers, Jr.,
Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
[FR Doc. 99-31369 Filed 12-13-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-P