E9-22421. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

September 14, 2009.

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 the Economic Research Service (ERS) as a research and evaluation activity authorized under section 17 of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 as amended. ERS is collaborating with the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and the Bureau of Census to continue this program of research and development. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (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 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 also will be used to monitor the amounts that households spend for food and their use of community food pantries and emergency kitchens.

Description of Respondents: Individuals or Households.

Number of Respondents: 54,400.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.

Total Burden Hours: 6,916.

Ruth Brown,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.