[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 17 (Tuesday, January 27, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 3874]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-1731]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Service


Improving Access to the Summer Food Service Program

AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice solicits comments related to methods for improving 
access to the Summer Food Service Program by children in needy areas.

DATES: Comments must be postmarked by March 29, 2004 to be considered.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to Mr. Robert Eadie, Chief, 
Policy and Program Development Branch, Child Nutrition Division, Food 
and Nutrition Service, Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park Center 
Drive, Room 634, Alexandria, Virginia 22302-1594. Comments will also be 
accepted via e-mail sent to [email protected]. All written 
submissions, including e-mail submissions, will be available for public 
inspection in Room 634 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Keith Churchill or Marcus Hambrick, 
Policy and Program Development Branch, at the above address, or by 
telephone at (703) 305-2590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Food and Nutrition Service, USDA (FNS) 
is committed to improving access to the Summer Food Service Program 
(SFSP), authorized by Section 13 of the Richard B. Russell National 
School Lunch Act, 42 U.S.C. 1761, by children in needy areas. FNS has 
partnered with national service organizations to promote the SFSP, 
utilized regional and local community groups to identify unique 
demographic needs and participation barriers, met with potential 
sponsoring organizations and community leaders to identify potential 
solutions to common barriers and targeted specific unserved and 
underserved areas for Program expansion. In addition to these 
endeavors, State agencies have made significant efforts to promote and 
expand the Program.
    These endeavors have led FNS to develop and implement additional 
outreach projects to improve Program access. As part of a comprehensive 
outreach effort, FNS has developed a media kit and marketing campaign, 
created SFSP promotional articles for newsletters and publications, and 
conducted activities designed for specific unserved and underserved 
areas.
    Additionally, FNS has developed Program policies that encourage and 
expand access to the Program by children in needy areas. Allowing 
school sponsors to serve summer meals under an existing National School 
Lunch Program agreement has enabled seamless year-round participation. 
Other policies include authorizing eligibility determinations based on 
alternate means in lieu of applications, expanding approved meal 
service times, and waiving certain budget requirements. Collectively, 
changes to Program policies have enabled sponsors' participation in the 
SFSP while considering unique circumstances.
    While modest success has been achieved in increasing Program 
participation by children, FNS continues to solicit comments and 
evaluate innovative suggestions related to improving Program access, 
especially in rural areas. In recent years, FNS has received and 
evaluated numerous suggestions, including: waiving application 
requirements for enrolled sites in needy areas, allowing off-site 
consumption of meals, establishing pilot programs to further evaluate 
innovative methods to improve Program access and even altering the 
congregate feeding design of the current program to accommodate home-
based lunches. As a result of these and other suggestions, FNS has 
expanded Program access and lessened the management burden placed on 
Program sponsors.
    FNS solicits comments and suggestions related to Program access 
from all parties. FNS is particularly interested in suggestions from 
faith-based and community-based organizations, which might take 
advantage of existing service delivery methods and expand opportunities 
for program participation by such organizations.
    Commenters should consider that FNS does not have the authority to 
waive certain statutory and regulatory requirements that govern the 
SFSP, e.g. reimburse sponsors that operate in areas where fewer than 50 
percent of children are eligible, implement policy that increases 
Federal costs, or change the nutritional content of meals served. 
Additionally, FNS will not entertain suggestions that might compromise 
the health and safety of children who participate in the Program.
    FNS encourages all interested parties to submit comments and 
suggestions related to improving Program access.

    Dated: January 22, 2004.
Roberto Salazar,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 04-1731 Filed 1-26-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-P