Notice2024-24868
Agency Information Collection Activities: Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations Participant Characteristics and Program Operations Study
Primary source
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Published
October 25, 2024
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentFood and Nutrition Service
Abstract
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on this proposed information collection. This is a new information collection request in which FNS seeks updated information about the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), including participant characteristics, program operations, and why FDPIR participation has been declining. This study will also include an evaluation of the self-determination demonstration projects (SDDPs), which allow Tribes administering FDPIR to directly purchase food for the FDPIR food packages distributed to their Tribe.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 207 (Friday, October 25, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 207 (Friday, October 25, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 85138-85147]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-24868]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food and Nutrition Service
Agency Information Collection Activities: Food Distribution
Program on Indian Reservations Participant Characteristics and Program
Operations Study
AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA).
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this
notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment
on this proposed information collection. This is a new information
collection request in which FNS seeks updated information about the
Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), including
participant characteristics, program operations, and why FDPIR
participation has been declining. This study will also include an
evaluation of the self-determination demonstration projects (SDDPs),
which allow Tribes administering FDPIR to directly purchase food for
the FDPIR food packages distributed to their Tribe.
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DATES: Written comments must be received on or before December 24,
2024.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent to Kavitha Sankavaram, Office of Policy
Support, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture
1320 Braddock Place, Alexandria, VA 22314. Comments may also be
submitted via email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4c272d3a2538242d623f2d22272d3a2d3e2d210c393f282d622b233a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="fd969c8b9489959cd38e9c93969c8b9c8f9c90bd888e999cd39a928b">[email protected]</span></a>. Comments will also
be accepted through the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and follow the online instructions for submitting
comments electronically.
All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the
request for Office of Management and Budget approval. All comments will
be a matter of public record.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or
copies of this information collection should be directed to Kavitha
Sankavaram at 703-605-4627.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 2018 Farm Bill authorized USDA to
establish a demonstration project for one or more Tribal organizations
administering FDPIR to enter into self-determination contracts, as
defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education
Assistance Act, to purchase USDA Foods for the FDPIR food package for
their Tribes. The goals of the demonstration project include (1)
supporting Tribal self-governance by allowing participating Tribes to
purchase similar foods of their choosing, supporting tribal dietary
preferences; (2) enabling Tribes to purchase foods through commercial
vendors of their choice; (3) supporting Tribal economies as Tribes may
choose to contract with local, regional, and/or Tribal vendors; and (4)
providing FNS with an opportunity to see how Tribal procurement may
work under a food distribution program model across Region, program
size, and food selection. To date, FNS has awarded $11.4 million to 16
sites. Through this information collection, FNS aims to understand the
impact, successes, and challenges of the demonstration projects to
inform future policy goals.
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 shall 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 that were 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 use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology.
Title: Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
Participant Characteristics and Program Operations (PCPO) and Self-
Determination Demonstration Project (SDDP) Evaluation.
Form Number: Not applicable.
OMB Number: 0584-NEW.
Expiration date: Not yet determined.
Type of request: New collection of information.
Abstract: Administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's
(USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), the Food Distribution Program
on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) provides USDA Foods to income-eligible
households living on Indian reservations and to American Indian
households residing in approved areas near reservations in Oklahoma.
Many households participate in FDPIR as an alternative to the
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) because they do not
have easy access to SNAP offices or authorized food stores. The last
comprehensive study of FDPIR participant characteristics and program
operations (PCPO) used data collected in 2013 and 2014. This study will
provide current, nationally representative information on FDPIR
participants and local program operations across the nation. The study
will also provide FNS with a better understanding of the reasons for
the decline in FDPIR participation and how to streamline and target
food/nutrition education efforts, funding, and policy changes. To
identify reasons for variable participation, FNS will collect
information on perceptions about the program, potential access
barriers, and participation in SNAP and other food assistance programs.
The study also includes an evaluation of the Self-Determination
Demonstration Project (SDDP). The SDDP, authorized in the 2018 Farm
Bill, provides FDPIR sites with the flexibility to procure and
distribute local, regional, and/or Tribal foods. This study is needed
to help FNS make decisions about program administration and identify
ways to make the program more beneficial to participants.
The study will be conducted over a 3-year period. For the PCPO
component of the study, data collection activities will include
administrative data submissions, a participant survey, discussion
groups with participants and eligible nonparticipants, and site visits
to 26 FDPIR programs. Site visits will consist of focus groups with
FDPIR participants and eligible nonparticipants; key informant
interviews with FDPIR program staff, community partners, and Tribal
leaders; and observations of program facilities. Using the
administrative data collected from the 26 FDPIR programs, the study
team will select a random nationally representative sample of 1,050
participating households. This sample of participating households will
be the basis of recruitment for the participant survey. For the SDDP
component of the study, data collection activities will include
administrative data submissions, key informant interviews with FDPIR
program staff and vendors, and interviews with a convenience sample of
FDPIR participants at the 16 SDDP sites. Clearance is requested for the
following new data collection activities: administrative data
collection, survey of FDPIR participants, key informant interviews,
onsite observations of FDPIR program operations, FDPIR participants and
eligible nonparticipant discussion groups, and FDPIR participant
interviews.
Affected public: (1) State, local, and Tribal agencies; (2)
businesses; and (3) individuals. Identified respondent groups include
the following:
1. State, local, and Tribal agencies: FDPIR agency staff from 38
Tribal agencies (22 PCPO-only sites, 12 SDDP-only sites, and 4 sites
participating in both the PCPO and SDDP components).
2. Businesses: nonprofit businesses--staff from community-based
organizations at the 26 PCPO sites--and for-profit businesses--food
vendor staff at the 16 SDDP sites.
3. Individuals: 1,050 FDPIR participants and eligible
nonparticipants who will be recruited for the PCPO participant survey
and 316 who will be recruited for participation in discussion groups
across the 26 PCPO sites. For the SDDP component, 400 FDPIR
participants across the 16 SDDP sites will be recruited to complete an
interview.
Estimated number of respondents: The total estimated number of
respondents is 2,068: 182 State, local, and Tribal government staff; 69
business (for-profit and not-for-profit) staff; and 1,817 individuals.
Of the 2,068 contacted, 1,728 are estimated to be responsive, and 340
are estimated to be nonresponsive. The breakout follows:
1. State, local, and Tribal agency staff: Of the 182 FDPIR Tribal
staff contacted, 168 are estimated to be responsive, and
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14 will be nonresponsive. For the PCPO component, 145 Tribal staff will
be contacted, and 131 are estimated to be responsive and 14 will be
nonresponsive. For the SDDP component, 37 Tribal staff will be
contacted, and all are estimated to be responsive.
2. Business (for-profit and not-for-profit) staff: Of the 53 non-
profit business staff contacted, all are estimated to be responsive. Of
the 16 for-profit business staff contacted, all are estimated to be
responsive.
3. Individuals: Of the 1,817 individuals contacted, 1,491 are
estimated to be responsive, and 326 will be nonresponsive.
<bullet> For the PCPO study, 1,050 FDPIR participants will be
contacted to complete the PCPO survey, and 871 will complete the survey
and receive a thank-you email; 179 will be nonresponsive. A total of
316 participants will be recruited for the PCPO discussion groups; 252
will participate in the discussion, and 64 will be nonresponsive.
<bullet> Twenty-six Tribal leaders at FDPIR sites will be asked to
participate in a key informant interview; 23 will participate in the
interview, and 3 will be nonresponsive.
<bullet> For the SDDP study, 400 participants will be contacted to
complete the SDDP interview, and 320 will complete the interview and
receive a thank-you email; 80 will be nonresponsive.
Estimated number of responses per respondent: 3.375--based on 6,979
total annual responses (6,460 responsive and 519 nonresponsive) made by
the 2,068 respondents (1,728 responsive and 340 nonresponsive). See
table 1 for the estimated number of responses per respondent for each
type of respondent. The breakout follows:
1. State, local, and Tribal agencies (182):
<bullet> Twenty-nine FDPIR directors will receive recruitment
emails from FNS; 26 will be responsive, and 3 will be nonresponsive.
Twenty-six FDPIR directors will receive an introductory email from the
study team, participate in a phone call to discuss the data request,
and facilitate the execution of a data use agreement. They will also
receive materials from the study team about key informant interview
scheduling and participate in the PCPO key informant interviews.
Sixteen FDPIR directors will respond to scheduling and participate in
the SDDP interviews; the same 16 FDPIR directors will also participate
in a phone call to discuss the SDDP data request, and facilitate the
execution of a data use agreement.
<bullet> Seventeen FDPIR directors will complete the electronic
PCPO administrative data submission. One FDPIR director will pretest
the PCPO administrative data request. Sixteen FDPIR directors will
complete the SDDP administrative data submission; one of these 16
directors will pretest the SDDP administrative data request.
<bullet> Fifty-two FDPIR frontline staff will receive recruitment
information, and 45 will respond to scheduling and participate in the
PCPO key informant interviews; 7 will be nonresponsive. Twenty-six
frontline staff will also participate in the observation. Sixteen
frontline staff will respond to scheduling and participate in the SDDP
interviews. One frontline staff member will pretest the key informant
interview protocol. One frontline staff member will pretest the
observation guide.
<bullet> Twenty-six distribution staff will receive recruitment
information, and 24 will respond to scheduling and participate in the
observation; 2 will be nonresponsive. One distribution staff member
will pretest the observation guide.
<bullet> Twenty-six warehouse staff will receive recruitment
information, and 24 will respond to scheduling and participate in the
observation; 2 will be nonresponsive.
<bullet> Nine administrative staff will provide onsite support for
the administrative data abstraction.
<bullet> Five SDDP coordinators will receive recruitment
information and will respond to scheduling and participate in the SDDP
interviews.
2. Business (for-profit and not-for-profit) vendor and community
organization staff (69):
<bullet> Sixteen food vendor staff will respond to scheduling and
participate in the SDDP interviews.
<bullet> Fifty-two community organization staff will respond to
scheduling and participate in the PCPO key informant interviews. One
community organization staff member will pretest the key informant
interview guide.
3. Individuals (1,817):
<bullet> A total of 1,050 individuals will be recruited, and 871
will complete the PCPO participant survey. A total of 316 individuals
will be recruited, and 252 will participate in the PCPO focus groups. A
total of 400 individuals will be recruited, and 320 will complete the
SDDP participant survey.
<bullet> Twenty-six Tribal leaders will receive scheduling
information, and 23 will respond to scheduling and participate in the
PCPO key informant interviews. One Tribal leader will pretest the key
informant interview guide.
<bullet> Nine individuals will be recruited and pretest the SDDP
participant survey. Nine individuals will be recruited and pretest the
PCPO participant survey. Six individuals will be recruited and pretest
the PCPO discussion group guide.
Estimated total annual responses: 6,979 (6,460 annual responses for
responsive participants and 519 annual responses for nonresponsive
participants).
Estimated time per response: 0.304 hours (0.33 hours for responsive
participants and 0.02 hours for nonresponsive participants). Among
respondents, the estimated time of response varies from 0.03 hours to
2.00 hours depending on the respondent group and activity, as table 1
shows.
Estimated total annual burden on respondents and nonrespondents:
2,124.09 hours (2,116.85 hours for responsive participants and 9.55
hours for nonresponsive participants). See table 1 for the estimated
total annual burden for each type of respondent.
BILLING CODE 3410-30-P
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Tameka Owens,
Acting Administrator and Assistant Administrator, Food and Nutrition
Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-24868 Filed 10-24-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-C
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