[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 136 (Tuesday, July 16, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57844-57845]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-15635]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Economic Research Service


Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request

AGENCY: Economic Research Service (ERS), USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the intention of the Economic Research Service's (ERS) 
to request a renewal to a currently approved information collection on 
supplemental food security questions in the Current Population Survey 
(CPS).

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by September 16, 2024 
to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: Address all comments concerning this notice to 
[email protected] and [email protected] identified by docket number 
0536-0043.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of this information collection should be directed to Julie 
Parker at [email protected] or 202-868-7945.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Current Population Survey Food Security Supplement.
    OMB Number: 0536-0043.
    Expiration Date of Approval: March 31, 2025.
    Type of Request: Renewal of currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 
(Pub. L. 104-13) and OMB regulations at 5 CFR part 1320 (60 FR 44978, 
August 29, 1995), this notice announces the ERS intention to request 
renewal of approval for an annual information collection. The U.S. 
Census Bureau supplements the December CPS with questions regarding 
household food shopping, use of food and nutrition assistance programs, 
food sufficiency, and difficulties in meeting household food needs.
    ERS is one of the 13 principal statistical agencies of the federal 
government and is responsible for conducting studies and producing 
statistics on food security in U.S. households. The data collected by 
the

[[Page 57845]]

food security supplement will be used to monitor the prevalence of food 
security and the prevalence and severity of food insecurity among the 
Nation's households. The prevalence of these conditions as well as 
year-to-year trends in their prevalence will be estimated at the 
national level and for population subgroups. The data will also be used 
to monitor the amounts that households spend for food and their use of 
community food pantries and other community food assistance. These 
statistics along with research based on the data will be used to 
identify the causes and consequences of food insecurity, and to assess 
the need for, and performance of, domestic food and nutrition 
assistance programs. The data will also be used to improve the 
measurement of food security and to develop measures of additional 
aspects and dimensions of food security. This consistent measurement of 
the extent and severity of food insecurity will aid in policy decision-
making.
    The supplemental survey instrument was developed in conjunction 
with food security experts nationwide as well as survey method experts 
within the Census Bureau and was reviewed in 2006 by the Committee on 
National Statistics of the National Research Council.
    Authority: Legislative authority for the planned data collection 
are 7 U.S.C. 2204(a) and 7 CFR 2.67. These statutes and regulations 
authorize the Secretary of Agriculture and the Administrator of the 
Economic Research Service to conduct research and collect statistics on 
the U.S. food system, consumers, and human nutrition.
    Confidentiality: The Census Bureau collects data for the Current 
Population Survey under the authority of Title 13, U.S. Code, section 
8b, which allows the Census Bureau to undertake surveys for other 
government agencies. Under Title 13, U.S. Code, section 9 the Census 
Bureau holds all information in strict confidence. Information reported 
in the survey which would permit the identification of a household or 
any of its members is not reported to anyone outside of the Census 
Bureau. Any Census Bureau employee who violates these provisions is 
subject to a fine of up to $250,000, a Federal prison sentence of up to 
five years, or both.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 7.1 minutes per response.
    Respondents: Households.
    Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: 51,937.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 6,108 hours.
    Comments: 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 will 
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; 
(d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments should be 
sent to the address in the preamble. All responses to this notice will 
be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All 
comments will also become a matter of public record.

Spiro Stefanou,
Administrator, Economic Research Service, United States Department of 
Agriculture.
[FR Doc. 2024-15635 Filed 7-15-24; 8:45 am]
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