[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 208 (Thursday, October 29, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55804-55805]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-26017]


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 Notices
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  Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 208 / Thursday, October 29, 2009 / 
Notices  

[[Page 55804]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request Generic Clearance To Conduct Formative Research

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 interested parties to 
comment on a proposed information collection. This collection is an 
extension, without change, of a currently approved collection. This 
information collection will conduct research in support of FNS' goal of 
delivering science-based nutrition education to targeted audiences. 
From development through testing of materials and tools with the target 
audience, FNS plans to conduct data collections that involve formative 
research including focus groups, interviews (dyad, triad, telephone, 
etc.), surveys and Web-based collection tools.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before December 28, 
2009.

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 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 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.
    Comments may be sent to Judy F. Wilson, Senior Nutrition Advisor, 
Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park 
Center Drive, Room 1012, Alexandria, VA 22302. Comments may also be 
faxed to the attention of Judy F. Wilson at (703) 305-2576 or e-mailed 
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 3101 Park Center Drive, 
Alexandria, Virginia 22302, Room 1012.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval. All 
comments will be a matter of public record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information 
should be directed to Judy F. Wilson at (703) 305-2017.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Generic Clearance to Conduct Formative Research for 
Development of Nutrition Education and Promotion Materials and Related 
Tools for FNS Population Groups.
    OMB Number: 0584-0524.
    Expiration Date: March 31, 2010.
    Type of Request: Extension of previously approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: This information collection is based on Section 19 of the 
Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1787), Section 5 of the Richard 
B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1754) and Section 11(f) 
of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2020). This request for 
approval of information collection is necessary to obtain input into 
the development of nutrition education interventions for population 
groups served by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition 
Service (USDA-FNS).
    Diet has a significant impact on the health of citizens and is 
linked to four leading causes of disease, which can reduce the quality 
of life and cause premature death. While these diet-related problems 
affect all Americans, they have a greater impact on the disadvantaged 
populations served by many FNS programs. One of FNS' goals includes 
improving the nutrition of children and low-income families by 
providing access to program benefits and nutrition education. The FNS 
programs include Child Nutrition, Food Distribution, Food Stamp and 
Supplemental Foods Programs.
    The basis of our approach rests on the philosophies that all health 
communications and social marketing activities must be science-based, 
theoretically grounded, audience-driven, and results-oriented. 
Secondly, consumer-based health communications require a focus on 
specific target audiences, encouraging positive behaviors in culturally 
relevant ways, unique benefits and supports for adopting the new 
behavior, insights into the most appropriate time and place to deliver 
messages, and striking the right tone to enhance attention and action 
to the message. Interventions need to be designed so that they can be 
delivered through different types of media and in a variety of formats 
for diverse audiences.
    FNS develops a variety of resources to support nutrition education 
and promotion activities. These resources are designed to convey 
science-based, behavior-focused nutrition messages about healthy eating 
and physical activity to children and adults eligible to participate in 
FNS nutrition assistance programs and to motivate them to consume more 
healthful foods as defined by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 
(DGAs). This includes education materials, messages, promotion tools 
and interventions for the diverse population served by the Federal 
nutrition programs including WIC, Team Nutrition, Food Distribution and 
other programs.
    Obtaining formative input and feedback is fundamental to FNS' 
success in delivering science-based nutrition messages and reaching 
diverse segments of the population in ways that are meaningful and 
relevant. This includes conferring with the target audience, 
individuals providing service to the target audience, and key 
stakeholders on the communication strategies and interventions that 
will be developed and on the delivery approaches that will be used to 
reach consumers. The formative

[[Page 55805]]

research and testing activities described will help in the development 
of effective education and promotion tools and communication 
strategies. Collection of this information will increase FNS' ability 
to formulate nutrition education interventions that resonate with the 
intended target population, in particular low-income families.
    Formative research methods and information collection will include 
focus groups, interviews (dyad, triad, telephone, etc.), surveys and 
Web-based data collection. The data obtained will provide input 
regarding the potential use of materials and products during both the 
developmental and testing stages. In order to determine future 
nutrition education needs, tools and dissemination strategies, key 
informant interviews will be conducted. This task involves collecting a 
diverse array of information from a variety of groups including: People 
familiar with the target audiences; individuals delivering nutrition 
education interventions and projects; program providers at State and 
local levels; program participants and other relevant informants 
associated with FNS programs.
    Findings from all data collection will be included in summary 
reports submitted to USDA-FNS. The reports will describe the data 
collection methods, findings, conclusions, implications, and 
recommendations for the development and effective dissemination of 
nutrition education materials and related tools for FNS population 
groups. There will be no specific quantitative analysis of data. No 
attempt will be made to generalize the findings to be nationally 
representative or statistically valid.
    Respondents: Individual & Household: Recipients and those persons 
eligible for FNS nutrition assistance programs, State and local staff 
administering FNS programs, Business: FNS stakeholders and consumers, 
and other interested parties.

 
 
 
Estimated Number of Respondents:                                  19,000
  Focus Group Screeners....................................         3000
  Interview Screeners/Surveys..............................         1400
  Focus Groups.............................................         1500
  Intercept Interviews.....................................          800
  Dyad/Triad Interviews....................................          200
  Telephone Interviews.....................................         1500
  Surveys..................................................          800
  Web-based Collections....................................          800
  Confidentiality Agreements...............................         9000
Estimated Time per Response:
  Focus Group Screeners....................................       \1\ 10
  Interview Screeners/Surveys..............................        \1\10
  Focus Groups.............................................      \1\ 120
  Intercept Interviews.....................................       \1\ 30
  Dyad/Triad Interviews....................................       \1\ 60
  Telephone Interviews.....................................       \1\ 15
  Surveys..................................................       \1\ 30
  Web-based Collections....................................       \1\ 30
  Confidentiality Agreement................................       \1\ 10
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents:
  Focus Group Screeners....................................   \1\ 30,000
  Interview Screeners/Surveys..............................   \1\ 14,000
  Focus Groups.............................................  \1\ 180,000
  Intercept Interviews.....................................   \1\ 24,000
  Dyad/Triad Interviews....................................   \1\ 12,000
  Telephone Interviews.....................................   \1\ 22,500
  Survey Instruments.......................................   \1\ 24,000
  Web-based Collections....................................   \1\ 24,000
  Confidentiality Agreement................................   \1\ 90,000
                                                            ------------
    Total Estimated Burden.................................  \1\ 420,500
 
\1\ Minutes.

    Public reporting burden for this collection of information is 
estimated to average 19,000 respondents with a total estimated burden 
of 420,500 minutes or 7,008 hours.

    Dated: October 21, 2009.
Julia Paradis,
Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
[FR Doc. E9-26017 Filed 10-28-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-P