[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 98 (Tuesday, May 20, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29107-29108]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-11236]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Service


Request for Public Comments for Use in Preparing for 2009 
Reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Programs and the Special 
Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children

AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces a request for public comments to help 
senior officials of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) 
prepare for the 2009 Reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Programs 
and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and 
Children (WIC). USDA believes that public input and assessment of the 
performance of current programs--including WIC, National School Lunch 
Program, School Breakfast Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, 
Summer Food Service Program, WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program, 
Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, and Special Milk Program--are 
essential to help the Department plan for reauthorization.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The nutrition assistance programs administered by USDA work 
together to ensure a nutrition safety net for the Nation's children, 
elderly, and low-income families. These programs help protect children 
and low-income households from hunger. They inform all of us about the 
importance of healthful diets and active lifestyles. They help to 
prevent the health problems associated with poor nutrition and physical 
inactivity for all Americans.
    While these programs are designed to meet the needs of people of 
all ages who may require assistance, they focus most strongly on the 
needs of children. The Child Nutrition Programs include the school meal 
programs (National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program) 
and the Child and Adult Care Food Program, which support nutritious 
meals and snacks served to children in schools, child care 
institutions, and afterschool care programs. In addition, the Summer 
Food Service Program and the Seamless Summer component of the National 
School Lunch Program provide nutritious food to children in programs in 
the summer months, when school is not in session.
    WIC addresses the special needs of at-risk, low-income pregnant, 
breastfeeding, and postpartum women, infants, and children up to five 
years of age. It provides participants with monthly supplemental food 
packages targeted to their dietary needs, nutrition education, and 
referrals to a range of health and social services--benefits that 
promote a healthy pregnancy for mothers and a healthy start for their 
children.

Public Comment Submission

    The reauthorization process provides Congress with a regular 
opportunity to examine the operation and effectiveness of the Federal 
nutrition assistance programs, and consider making improvements to 
their statutory structure under the Richard B. Russell

[[Page 29108]]

National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751-1769i) and the Child 
Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771-1791). In anticipation of these 
discussions, USDA intends to gather input that will help the Department 
better understand the needs and concerns of program cooperators and 
participants at the State and local levels, including representatives 
from State agencies, local program offices, industry, and State and 
local advocacy groups.
    This notice provides the public the opportunity to comment in 
writing on the issues that USDA expects to address in preparing for 
this reauthorization process. USDA has developed a framework of three 
themes to help focus the discussion of reauthorization issues. 
Commenters will be asked to address, but not be limited to, issues 
related to specific aspects of WIC, the WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition 
Program, National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Child 
and Adult Care Food Program, Summer Food Service Program, Fresh Fruit 
and Vegetable Program, and Special Milk Program. Key among these are:
     Strengthening program management and improving nutrition 
services,
     Ensuring that all eligible persons have access to program 
benefits, and
     Advancing technology and innovation.

Electronic Access and Filing Addresses

    USDA invites interested persons to submit written comments 
electronically or by postal mail. To be assured of consideration, 
written comments must be received on or before October 15, 2008. 
Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods:
    Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments electronically.
    Mail: Address comments to Mr. Robert M. Eadie, Chief, Policy and 
Program Development Branch, Child Nutrition Division, Food and 
Nutrition Service, Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park Center Drive, 
Room 640, Alexandria, Virginia 22302-1594.
    Fax: Submit comments by facsimile transmission to: 703-305-2879, 
attention Mr. Robert M. Eadie.
    Hand Delivery or Courier: Deliver comments to 3101 Park Center 
Drive, Room 640, Alexandria, Virginia 22302-1594, during normal 
business hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    All comments submitted in response to this notice will be included 
in the record and will be made available to the public. Please be 
advised that comments, as well as the identity of the individuals or 
entities submitting the comments, will be subject to public disclosure. 
All submissions will be available for public inspection at the address 
noted above, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. USDA may also 
make the comments available on the Federal eRulemaking portal.

    Dated: May 14, 2008.
Eric Steiner,
Acting Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
[FR Doc. E8-11236 Filed 5-19-08; 8:45 am]
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