[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 195 (Tuesday, October 8, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62683-62684]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-25581]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Service


Value-Pass-Through of USDA Donated Commodities in Food Service 
Management Company Fixed-Rate-Per-Meal Contracts

AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Food and Nutrition Service, Food Distribution Division, 
will hold a meeting to discuss methods of value-pass-through of USDA 
donated commodities in food service management company fixed-rate-per-
meal contracts in the National School Lunch Program. The purpose of 
this meeting is to offer State agencies, school food authorities, 
advocacy groups, food service management companies, and other 
interested parties the opportunity for dialogue prior to proposed 
rulemaking.

Date and Time: Thursday, October 24, 2002, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

ADDRESSES: Food and Nutrition Service, 3101 Park Center Drive, 
Conference Room 204-B, Alexandria, Virginia 22302.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In April 2002, the USDA Office of Inspector 
General issued Audit Report Number 27601-0027-CH titled ``National 
School Lunch Program--Food Service Management Companies,'' which found 
that, in the States reviewed by the Office of Inspector General, many 
school food authorities that maintained fixed-rate-per-meal contracts 
did not receive proper credit for USDA donated commodities. Federal 
regulations require that any USDA donated commodities received by a 
school food authority and made available to a food service management 
company shall be used solely for the school food authority's food 
service operation and that the full value of all USDA donated food must 
accrue to the benefit of the school food authority.
    The discussion topics of this meeting will be limited to (a) the 
Office of Inspector General's recommended approach for crediting USDA 
donated commodities, (b) value-pass-through methods currently used by 
food service management companies and school food authorities in food 
service management

[[Page 62684]]

contracts, and (c) proposals for the development of new specific 
procedures for crediting USDA donated commodities.
    For those unable to attend the meeting or those who attend and have 
additional comments on the discussion topics, the contact person named 
below will accept written statements before the meeting and until 
Friday, November 8, 2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne Rigby, Branch Chief, Schools 
and Institutions Branch, Food Distribution Division, Food and Nutrition 
Service, USDA, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 500, Alexandria, Virginia 
22302,-(703) 305-2644. To confirm attendance, please contact Sherry 
Thackeray at (703) 305-2652 or e-mail [email protected]. 
Confirmation of attendance is encouraged, but not mandatory for 
participation in this meeting. Office of Inspector General audit report 
is available on the Office of Inspector General's Internet Web site at 
http://www.usda.gov/oig/webdocs/27601-27-Ch.pdf. A copy may also be 
requested by contacting Sherry Thackeray.

    Dated: October 2, 2002.
Eric M. Bost,
Under Secretary, Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services.
[FR Doc. 02-25581 Filed 10-7-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-P