[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 27 (Thursday, February 11, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9046-9048]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-02829]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Special Supplemental 
Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Farmers' 
Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) Program Regulations--Reporting and 
Record-Keeping Burden

AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), 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 this proposed information collection. This collection is a revision 
of a currently approved information collection for the WIC Farmers' 
Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) Regulations for the reporting and 
record-keeping burden associated with the WIC FMNP Program regulations.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before April 12, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent to: Sara Olson, Chief, Policy Branch, 
Supplemental Food Programs Division, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, Braddock Metro Center II, 1320 Braddock 
Place, Room 328, Alexandria, VA 22314. Comments may also be submitted 
via fax to the attention of Sara Olson at 703-305-2086 or via email 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 responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for Office of Management and Budget approval. All comments will 
be a matter of public record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of this information collection should be directed to Sara Olson 
at 703-305-2085 or via email to [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 
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 
use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other 
technological collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Title: Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, 
and Children (WIC) Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) 
Regulations--Reporting and Record-keeping Burden.
    Form Number: FNS-683B (under OMB Control Number 0584-0594) is 
associated with this collection.
    OMB Number: 0584-0447.
    Expiration Date: May 31, 2021.
    Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: The WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) is 
associated with the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, 
Infants, and Children, also known as WIC. The WIC Program provides 
supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education at 
no cost to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding 
post-partum women, and to infants and children up to 5 years of age, 
who are found to be at nutritional risk. The purpose of the WIC 
Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) is to provide fresh, 
nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits and vegetables through 
farmers' markets and roadside stands to WIC participants, and to expand 
awareness and use of, and sales at, farmers' markets and roadside 
stands. Currently, FMNP operates through State health departments in 39 
States, 6 Indian Tribal Organizations, District of Columbia, Guam, 
Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
    Section 17(m)(8) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 
1786(m)(8)), and the WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) 
regulations at 7 CFR part 248 require that certain program-related 
information be collected and that full and complete records concerning 
FMNP operations are maintained. The information reporting and record-
keeping burdens are necessary to ensure appropriate and efficient 
management of the FMNP. These burden activities are covered by this 
Information Collection Request (ICR) which include requirements that 
involve the authorization and monitoring of State agencies; the 
certification of FMNP participants; the nutrition education that is 
provided to participants; farmer and market authorization, monitoring, 
and management; and financial and participation data (using WIC Farmers 
Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) Annual Financial and Program Data 
Report (FNS 683B), which is approved (both the form and its associated 
reporting burden) under OMB Control Number: 0584-0594 Food Programs 
Reporting System (FPRS), Expiration Date: 07/31/2023). Recordkeeping 
burden associated with this form is not approved under OMB Control 
Number 0584-0594. State agencies must maintain records in order to 
support data reported in FPRS, and the recordkeeping burden for such 
record maintenance is captured in this ICR, OMB Control Number: 0584-
0447. State plans are the principal source of information about how 
each State agency operates its FMNP. Information from participants and 
local agencies is collected through State-developed forms or Management 
Information Systems. The information collected is used by the 
Department of Agriculture/Food and Nutrition Service to manage, plan, 
evaluate, make decisions and report on FMNP program operations. Along 
with the State Plans, State agencies also submit the Federal-State 
Supplemental Nutrition Programs Agreements (FNS-339) whose reporting 
and recordkeeping burden is associated and approved under OMB Control 
Number: 0584-0332, Expiration Date: 04/30/2022.
    This information collection is requesting a revision in the burden 
hours due to program changes and

[[Page 9047]]

adjustments that primarily reflect the inclusion of programmatic 
requirements that are being included in this ICR for the first time, 
and expected changes in the number of FMNP participants; FMNP 
authorized outlets; and WIC FMNP local agencies.
    The currently approved burden for this collection is 929,211 hours. 
FNS estimates the new burden at 1,640,801 burden hours, which is an 
increase of 711,591. The currently approved total annual responses are 
4,968,338; we are requesting 4,908,769, which is a decrease of 59,569 
total annual responses. The currently approved reporting burden is 
515,260 hours; for this revision, FNS estimates 1,247,271 hours, which 
is an increase of 732,011 hours. The currently approved recordkeeping 
burden is 413,950 hours; for this revision, we estimate 393,530 hours, 
which is a decrease of 20,420 hours. The total approved reporting and 
record-keeping burden increased by 711,591 hours.
    Affected Public: State, Local, and Tribal Government, Individual/
Households, and Businesses (both for-profit and non-profit). 
Respondents include State agencies and local agencies (including Indian 
Tribal Organizations, District of Columbia, and Territories), 
participants, and authorized FMNP outlets (farmers, farmers' markets, 
roadside stands).
    Estimated Number of Respondents: The total estimated number of 
respondents is 1,581,402. This includes: State agencies (49), local 
agencies (696), Individuals/Households (1,560,475 participants), 
businesses (298) and authorized FMNP outlets (farmers, farmers' 
markets, roadside stands) (19,884).
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: The total estimated 
number of responses per respondent for this collection is 3.10.
    Estimated Total Annual Responses: The total estimated number of 
annual responses for this collection is 4,908,769.
    Estimated Time per Response: The estimated time per response 
averages approximately 20 minutes (0.33 hours) for all participants. 
For the reporting burden, the estimated time of response varies from 
approximately 3 minutes to 40 hours, while the estimated time of 
response for the record-keeping burden varies from 15 minutes to 40 
hours, depending on the respondent group.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: The estimated total 
annual burden on respondents for this collection is 1,640,801 hours. 
The reporting and record-keeping burden is 1,247,271 and 393,530 hours, 
respectively.
    See the table below for the estimated total annual burden for each 
type of respondent.

                                               Estimate of the FMNP Collection of Information Burden Table
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                                                                            Estimated         Annual
       Regulatory section             Information           Form(s)         number of      responses per   Total  annual     Hours per     Total annual
                                       collected                           respondents      respondent       responses       response      burden hours
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                                                               REPORTING BURDEN ESTIMATES
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                          Affected Public: STATE & LOCAL AGENCIES (Including Indian Tribal Organizations and U.S. Territories)
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248.3(e), 246.5.................  Local Agency         ................           695.80            0.50          347.90            2.00          695.80
                                   Applications.
248.4...........................  State Plan.........  ................            49.00            1.00           49.00           40.00        1,960.00
248.6, 246.7(c).................  Certification Data   ................            49.00       31,846.43    1,560,475.00            0.25      390,118.75
                                   for Participants.
248.10(a)(2), (3), (b)(c).......  Authorization--Revi  ................            49.00          202.90        9,942.00            1.00        9,942.00
                                   ew of Outlet
                                   Applications
                                   (Farmers, Farmers'
                                   Market, Roadside
                                   Stand).
248.10(a)(4)....................  Face-to-Face         ................            49.00            1.00           49.00            8.00          392.00
                                   Training
                                   Development.
248.10(a)(4)....................  Face-to-Face         ................            49.00           15.00          735.00            2.00        1,470.00
                                   Training.
248.10(b)(5)....................  Disqualification of  ................             5.00            1.00            5.00            0.08            0.42
                                   Authorized Outlets.
248.10(d).......................  Annual Training for  ................            49.00            1.00           49.00            8.00          392.00
                                   Authorized Outlets
                                   Development.
248.10(d).......................  Annual Training for  ................            49.00           15.00          735.00            2.00        1,470.00
                                   Authorized Outlets.
248.10(e)(2), (3);                Monitoring/Review    ................            49.00           40.58        1,988.40            1.50        2,982.60
 248.17(c)(1)(i).                  of Authorized
                                   Outlets.
248.10(e)(4); 248.17(c)(1)(ii)..  Monitoring/Review    ................            49.00           10.14          497.00            2.00          994.00
                                   of Local Agencies.
248.10(f).......................  Coupon Management    ................            49.00            1.00           49.00            5.00          245.00
                                   System.
248.10(h).......................  Coupon               ................            49.00            1.00           49.00            3.00          147.00
                                   Reconciliation.
248.10(j).......................  Recipients and       ................            49.00           10.20          500.00            1.00          500.00
                                   Authorized Outlet
                                   Complaints.
248.10(k).......................  Farmer/farmers'      ................            49.00            8.12          397.68            0.08           33.21
                                   Market Sanctions.
248.11(a).......................  Disclosure of        ................            49.00            1.00           49.00           10.00          490.00
                                   Financial
                                   Expenditures.
248.17(b)(2)(ii)................  State Agency         ................             7.00            1.00            7.00           10.00           70.00
                                   Corrective Action
                                   Plan.
248.17(a).......................  Establishment of ME  ................             1.00            1.00            1.00           24.00           24.00
                                   System.
248.17(c)(2)....................  Special Reports....  ................             2.00            1.00            2.00           10.00           20.00
248.18(b).......................  Audit Responses....  ................             1.00            1.00            1.00           15.00           15.00
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    Subtotal Reporting: State and Local Agencies       ................           744.80        2,115.91    1,575,927.98            0.26      411,961.77
     (Including Indian Tribal Organizations and U.S.
     Territories.
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                                        Affected Public: INDIVIDUALS/HOUSEHOLDS (Applicants for Program Benefits)
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248.6, 246.6....................  Certification Data   ................     1,560,475.00            1.00    1,560,475.00            0.05       78,179.80
                                   for Participants.
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    Subtotal Reporting: Individuals/Households.......  ................     1,560,475.00            1.00    1,560,475.00            0.05      78,179.798
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                                    Affected Public: AUTHORIZED OUTLETS (Farmers/Markets/Roadside Stands)/BUSINESSES
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248.3(e), 246.5.................  Non-profit           ................           298.20            0.50             149          2.0000          298.20
                                   businesses
                                   Applications.
248.10(a)(4)....................  Face-to-Face         ................         1,988.40            1.00        1,988.40            2.00        3,976.80
                                   Training.
248.10(b)(xi)...................  Farmer/farmers'      ................           500.00            1.00          500.00            0.50          250.00
                                   market complaints.
248.10(b)(c)....................  Authorized outlet    ................            9,942            1.00           9,942          0.0835          830.16
                                   Agreements.
248.10(b)(5)....................  Appeal of Denial...  ................            79.54            1.00              80          2.0000          159.07
248.10(d).......................  Annual Training for  ................        17,895.60            1.00          17,896          2.0000       35,791.20
                                   Authorized Outlets.

[[Page 9048]]

 
248.10(e)(1)....................  Coupon               ................           19,884            9.00         178,956          4.0000      715,824.00
                                   Reimbursement.
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    Subtotal Reporting: Authorized Outlets...........  ................        20,182.20           10.38      209,510.64            3.61      757,129.43
                                                      --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        GRAND SUBTOTAL: REPORTING....................  ................     1,581,402.00            2.12    3,345,913.62            0.37    1,247,271.00
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                                                             RECORD-KEEPING BURDEN ESTIMATES
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                          Affected Public: STATE & LOCAL AGENCIES (Including Indian Tribal Organizations and U.S. Territories)
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248.4(c)........................  State Plan Record    ................            49.00            1.00           49.00            0.17            8.18
                                   Maintenance.
248.9...........................  Nutrition Education  ................            49.00       31,846.43    1,560,475.00            0.25      390,118.75
248.10(a)(4)(d).................  Authorized Outlet    ................            49.00            1.00           49.00            2.00           98.00
                                   Training Content.
248.10(b)(c)....................  Authorized Outlet    ................            49.00            1.00           49.00            2.00           98.00
                                   Agreements.
248.10(b)(5)....................  Maintenance of       ................            49.00            1.00           49.00            0.17            8.18
                                   Disqualification
                                   and Sanction
                                   Records.
248.10(e)(2),(3);                 Monitoring and       ................            49.00           40.58        1,988.40            0.50          994.20
 248.17(c)(1)(i).                  Review of
                                   Authorized Outlets.
248.11(c).......................  Record of Financial  FNS-683B........            49.00            1.00           49.00            2.00           98.00
                                   Expenditures.
248.17(a).......................  Maintenance of       ................            49.00            1.00           49.00            2.00           98.00
                                   Management
                                   Evaluations.
248.16(a).......................  Fair Hearings......  ................            49.00            1.00           49.00            1.00           49.00
248.23(a).......................  Record of Program    ................            49.00            1.00           49.00           40.00        1.960.00
                                   Operations.
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    GRAND SUBTOTAL: RECORD-KEEPING...................  ................            49.00      31,895.008    1,562,855.40            0.25     393,530.316
                                                      --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        GRAND TOTAL: REPORTING AND RECORD-KEEPING....  ................     1,581,402.00            3.10    4,908,769.02            0.33    1,640,801.32
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Note: FNS-683B, OMB Control Number: 0584-0594 Food Programs Reporting System (FPRS), Expiration Date: 07/31/2023.


Cindy Long,
Acting Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-02829 Filed 2-10-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-P