2012-25399. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

October 10, 2012.

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 regarding (a) 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; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden 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 should be addressed to: Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), [e-mail] or fax [phone] and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. Comments regarding these information collections are best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling [phone].

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.

Economic Research Service

Title: Food Security Supplement to the Current Population Survey.

OMB Control Number: 0536-0043.

Summary of Collection: The Food Security Supplement is sponsored by USDA as research and evaluation activity authorized under 7 U.S.C. 2026(a)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. This latter section authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into contract with private and public institutions to collect data to undertake research that would improve the administration and effectiveness of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in delivering nutrition-related benefits. SNAP is currently the primary source of nutrition assistance for low-income Americans enabling households to improve their diet by increasing their food purchasing power. As the nation's primary public program for ensuring food security and alleviating hunger, the SNAP needs to regularly monitor food security conditions among its target population. This monitoring need requires that USDA continue basic data collection, analysis, and evaluation.

Need and Use of the Information: The data collected by the food security supplement will be used to monitor the prevalence of food security, food insecurity, and very low food security within the U.S. population as a whole and in selected population subgroups; conducting research on causes of food insecurity and the role of Federal food and nutrition programs in ameliorating food insecurity; and continuing development and improvement of methods for measuring these conditions. Information will be collected on food spending, use of Federal and community food and nutrition assistance programs, difficulties in obtaining adequate food during the previous 12 months and 30 days due to constrained resources, and conditions that result from inadequate access to food.

Description of Respondents: Individuals or Households.

Number of Respondents: 53,935.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 6,927.

Ruth Brown,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.