[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 246 (Monday, December 22, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78287-78288]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-30351]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request--School Food Purchase Study--III

AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment 
on the proposed collection of data for the School Food Purchase Study-
III. This is a request for reinstatement with changes of a previously 
approved OMB package (OMB 0584-0471, expiration data 6/30/98). 
It is the third in a series of studies designed to provide 
statistically valid national estimates of the types, amounts, and costs 
of food acquisitions (both purchased foods and USDA donated 
commodities) made by public school districts participating in the 
National School Lunch Program (OMB 0584-006, expiration date 
3/31/2009). This proposed collection is in response to a Congressional 
mandate in the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before February 20, 
2009.

ADDRESSES: Comments are invited on (a) Whether the proposed data 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the agency, including whether the information has 
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 that were 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 the use of 
appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
    Comments may be sent to: Steven Carlson, Director, Office of 
Research and Analysis, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 
Nutrition Service, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 1014, Alexandria, VA 
22302. Comments may also be submitted via fax to the attention of 
Steven Carlson at 703-305-2576 or via e-mail to 
[email protected].
    Comments will also be accepted through the Federal eRulemaking 
Portal. Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the online 
instructions for submitting comments electronically.
    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 Room 1014, 3101 Park 
Center Drive, Alexandria, Virginia 22302.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for Office of Management and Budget approval. All comments will 
also be a matter of public record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection forms and instructions should be 
directed to Steven Carlson on 703-305-2017.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: The School Food Purchase Study--III.
    OMB Number: OMB 0584-0471.
    Expiration Date: 6/30/98.
    Type of Request: Reinstatement with changes of a previously 
approved OMB package.
    Abstract: In response to the Congressional mandate in Section 4307 
of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, Pub. L. 110-246, 
(Farm Bill), this study will provide statistically valid national 
estimates of the types, amounts, and costs of food acquired by local 
public school districts participating in the National School Lunch 
Program and School Breakfast Program (OMB  0584-0012, 
expiration date 3/31/2009). The study is restricted to public school 
districts to allow for direct comparisons of results to the previous 
school food purchase study (School Year 1996-97). For example, the 
study will examine the changes in the mix of foods acquired by public 
schools since the School Year 1996-97. In addition, the study will 
furnish the opportunity for schools to describe their food purchase 
practices so that information associated with food buying efficiency 
can be provided to other schools.
    A nationally representative sample of approximately 400 School Food 
Authorities (SFAs) will be scientifically selected and divided into 
four subsamples of about 100 SFAs each. Each subgroup of 100 SFAs will 
provide source documents (vendor summaries, invoices, etc.) containing 
complete food purchase information for all food acquisitions made 
during a three-month period representing a specific quarter of the 
school year. The quarterly sample design insures that data is collected 
across the entire school year and restricts the burden on any one 
school district to only three months of data collection. SFA food 
service directors will be asked to describe school food purchase 
practices and school food service operations. This allows for the 
examination of relationships between food purchasing practices and 
costs of foods to schools.
    This study will be augmented by the collection of food purchase 
data and food purchase practice information from a purposive sample of 
approximately 18 SFAs in areas outside the contiguous United States 
(Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico) to examine food costs and procurement 
procedures in these areas compared to those found in the contiguous 
United States.
    Affected Public: School Food Authorities.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: Approximately 418 SFA directors, 
400 SFA directors within the contiguous United States and 18 SFA 
directors from areas outside the contiguous United States.

[[Page 78288]]

    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Responses: 418.
    Hours per Response: 13.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 5,434 hours.

    Dated: December 16, 2008.
E. Enrique Gomez,
Acting Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
 [FR Doc. E8-30351 Filed 12-19-08; 8:45 am]
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