[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 57 (Tuesday, March 25, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 14110]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-7516]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food and Consumer Service
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection;
Comment Request--Study of the Implementation of the School Meals
Initiative for Healthy Children
AGENCY: Food and Consumer Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this
notice announces the Food and Consumer Service's intention to request
Office of Management and Budget approval of the Study of the
Implementation of the School Meals Initiative for Healthy Children.
DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by May 27,
1997.
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 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; and (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 may be sent to: Michael
E. Fishman, Acting Director, Office of Analysis and Evaluation, Food
and Consumer Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park Center
Drive, Alexandria, VA 22302.
All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the
request for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval. All
comments will also become a matter of public record.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or
copies of the proposed information collection forms should be directed
to Michael E. Fishman, (703) 305-2117.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: The Study of the Implementation of the School Meals
Initiative for Healthy Children.
OMB Number: Not yet assigned.
Expiration Date: N/A.
Type of Request: New collection of information.
Abstract: The Study of the Implementation of the School Meals
Initiative (SMI) for Healthy Children is a three-year study designed to
collect information needed to address current policy issues including
those associated with the School Meals Initiative for Healthy Children
and Team Nutrition. A major part of this study is intended to provide
the Food and Consumer Service (FCS) with descriptive data on the status
of School Food Authorities'' (SFAs) implementation of the School Meals
Initiative for Healthy Children and the changes that have occurred in
the food service operations as a result of implementing this new
regulation. FCS will examine trends in SMI implementation and
characteristics of SFAs implementing certain elements of SMI and Team
Nutrition.
A nationally representative sample of approximately 1,750 public
school districts will be selected to participate in a three-year
longitudinal survey beginning in School Year 1997-98. Data will be
collected from the SFA directors using a mixed mode approach of mail/
telephone surveys. The study combines elements of longitudinal research
and cross-sectional surveys. A brief telephone survey of all State
Child Nutrition Directors will be included each year. On-site data
collection activities to supplement the primary data collection efforts
have been included as contract options in the second and third years
should an issue need to be examined that requires direct observation or
in-depth interviewing at the SFA or school level. However, this request
for OMB approval is for the first year data collection instrumentation
only. Separate OMB packages will be submitted for data collection
instruments in the second and third years.
Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden is estimated to range
between 45 and 60 minutes for School Food Service Authority directors;
and range between 20 and 30 minutes for State Child Nutrition
directors;
Respondents: State Child Nutrition directors will be asked to
confirm contact names, addresses and telephone numbers of selected SFAs
and respond to a brief telephone survey. SFA directors will be asked to
respond to a self-administered mail survey with telephone follow-up.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 50 State Child Nutrition
directors, 1,750 SFA directors.
Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: One.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,775 hours.
Dated: March 19, 1997.
William E. Ludwig,
Administrator, Food and Consumer Service.
[FR Doc. 97-7516 Filed 3-24-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-P
