[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 133 (Wednesday, July 12, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39281-39282]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-10960]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request--Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP): Data 
Collection Requirements

AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) invites the general public and other 
public agencies to provide input on a proposed information collection 
as set forth in the Proposed Rulemaking entitled ``Senior Farmers' 
Market Nutrition Program'' (SFMNP) that was published in the Federal 
Register on May 26, 2005. The comment period is open to provide State 
agencies, local governments, and non-profit organizations the 
opportunity to comment on the data collection burden.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before September 11, 
2006.

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 shall 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 use of appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms 
of information technology.
    FNS invites interested persons to submit comments on this notice. 
Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods:
     Mail: Send comments to Debra R. Whitford, Chief, Policy 
and Program Development Branch, Supplemental Food Programs Division, 
Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park 
Center Drive, Room 528, Alexandria, Virginia 22302.
     Web site: Go to http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic. Follow the 
online instructions for submitting comments through the link at the 
Supplemental Food Programs Division Web site.
     E-Mail: Send comments to [email protected]. Include 
Docket Number and title in the subject line of the message.
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments.

In all cases, including when comments are sent via e-mail, please label 
your comments as ``Proposed Collection of Information: Senior Farmers' 
Market Nutrition Program.''
    All written comments will be open for public inspection at the 
office of the Food and Nutrition Service during regular business hours 
(8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday) at 3101 Park Center Drive, 
Room 522, Alexandria, Virginia 22302.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will be a matter of public 
record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of this information should be directed to Debra R. Whitford at 
the address indicated above or at (703) 305-2746.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program.
    OMB Number: To be assigned.
    Expiration Date: 3 years from date of approval.
    Type of Request: New Information Collection.
    Abstract: The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Pub. 
L. 107-171, also known as the Farm Bill) gives the Department of 
Agriculture the authority to promulgate regulations for the operation 
and administration of the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program 
(SFMNP). The purposes of the SFMNP are to provide resources in the form 
of fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and 
herbs from farmers' markets, roadside stands, and community supported 
agriculture (CSA) programs to low-income seniors; to increase the 
domestic consumption of agricultural commodities by expanding or aiding 
in the expansion of domestic farmers' markets, roadside stands, and CSA 
programs; and to develop or aid in the development of new and 
additional farmers' markets, roadside stands, and CSA programs.
    Such requirements include, but are not limited to, financial 
information used to reconcile and close out SFMNP grants, submission of 
annual State Plans of Operation that describe in detail the operation 
and administration of the SFMNP at the State and local levels, local 
agency and authorized outlet (farmer, farmers' market, roadside stand, 
and/or community supported agriculture (CSA) program) applications and 
agreements, racial/ethnic participation data for all program 
participants, State agency nutrition education agreements, and State 
agency corrective action plans. FNS will use the collection of this 
information to assess how each State agency operates and to ensure the 
accountability of State agencies, local agencies, and authorized 
farmers/farmers' markets, roadside stands, and CSA programs in 
administering the SFMNP.
    USDA published a proposed rulemaking on the SFMNP on May 26, 2005, 
that contained an estimated information collection burden based on the 
proposed rule's requirements for program operation and administration. 
The Department is now soliciting comments on the accuracy and 
reasonableness of this estimated burden, prior to publication of a 
final SFMNP rulemaking.

Burden Estimate

1. Reporting

    Estimated Number of Respondents: 904,088.
    Respondents include State agencies, local agencies, recipients, and 
authorized SFMNP outlets ( farmers, farmers' markets, roadside stands, 
and CSA programs).
    Estimated Average Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Time per Response: 0.2601 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 235,153 hours.

2. Recordkeeping

    Estimated Number of Recordkeepings: 900,235.
    Respondents include State and local agencies.
    Estimated Average Number of Recordkeepings per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Time per Recordkeeping: 0.25 hours.

[[Page 39282]]

    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 227,209 hours.
    Total Annual Reporting/Recordkeeping Requirements: 462,362 hours.

    Dated: July 6, 2006.
Roberto Salazar,
Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-10960 Filed 7-11-06; 8:45 am]
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