[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 143 (Thursday, July 25, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60349-60350]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-16413]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments 
are requested regarding; whether the collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility; the 
accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of 
the methodology and assumptions used; ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and 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 regarding this information collection received by August 
26, 2024 will be considered. Written comments and recommendations for 
the proposed information collection should be submitted within 30 days 
of the publication of this notice on the following website 
www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular information 
collection by selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--Open for 
Public Comments'' or by using the search function. An agency may not 
conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless the collection of 
information displays a currently valid OMB control number and the 
agency informs potential persons who are to respond to the collection 
of information that such persons are not required to respond to the 
collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB 
control number.

Food and Nutrition Service

    Title: Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, 
and Children (WIC) Program Regulations--Reporting and Recordkeeping 
Burden.
    OMB Control Number: 0584-0043.
    Summary of Collection: The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program 
for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides supplemental foods, 
nutrition education, including breastfeeding promotion and support, and 
health care referrals to low income, nutritionally at-risk pregnant, 
breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants, and children up to age 
five. Currently, WIC operates through State health departments in 50 
States, 33 Indian Tribal Organizations, American Samoa, District of 
Columbia, Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto 
Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The Federal regulations governing the WIC 
Program (7 CFR part 246) require that certain program-related 
information be collected and that full and complete records concerning 
WIC operations are maintained. The WIC Program is authorized by the 
Child Nutrition Act of 1966, as amended.
    In accordance with the Child Nutrition Act of 1996, as amended the 
final rule titled, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, 
Infants and Children (WIC), revised regulations to align the WIC food 
packages with the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans and to 
reflect recommendations from the National Academies of Science, 
Engineering, and Medicine while promoting nutrition security and equity 
and considering program administration. As a result, the changes made 
encourages fruit and vegetable consumption; addresses key nutritional 
needs to support healthy dietary patterns; provides greater 
flexibility, variety, and choice to accommodate personal and cultural 
food preferences and special dietary needs; and strengthens support for 
individual breastfeeding goals to help establish long-term 
breastfeeding.
    Need and Use of the Information: The Food and Nutrition Service 
(FNS) collects information from state and local agencies, applicants, 
and retail vendors to determine eligibility in the WIC Program. This 
ongoing information collection is mandatory for state

[[Page 60350]]

agencies and required to obtain or retain benefits for the WIC 
participants. The information collection includes an explanation to 
participants about the food package changes, identification of foods 
acceptable for use in the Program for each State agency and vendor 
application and agreement information. The foods provided in the WIC 
food package are critical to the integrity of the Program and its 
mission to provide the nutrition needed during periods of rapid growth 
and development among infants, children, and pregnant, postpartum, and 
breastfeeding individuals. The vendor application and agreement 
information are necessary to ensure that vendors comply with the 
updated stocking requirements in the rule so that participants have 
access to a greater variety of vegetables. The information is also used 
by FNS to manage, plan, evaluate, make decisions, and report on WIC 
Program operations. If the information were not collected, the 
efficiency and effectiveness of the Program would be jeopardized, 
improper use of Federal funds would increase, and FNS' ability to 
detect violations would diminish greatly.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals or Households; Businesses 
or Other for Profit; Not-for profit institutions; and State, Local, or 
Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 6,283,126.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: Quarterly; Semi-
annually; Monthly; Annually; and as Needed.
    Total Burden Hours: 17,362,904.

Rachelle Ragland-Greene,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2024-16413 Filed 7-24-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-P