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[Federal Register: December 14, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 241)]
[Notices]               
[Page 64798-64799]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14de01-26]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Service

 
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request--Nutrition Education Materials for Food and Nutrition 
Service Population Groups

AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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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 a proposed information collection. This information collection is 
based on the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, as amended, the National 
School Lunch Act of 1966, as amended, the Food Stamp Act of 1977, as 
amended, the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973, as 
amended, and the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983, as amended. 
This project is a new collection of information.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before February 12, 
2002.

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 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 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.
    Comments may be sent to Judy F. Wilson, Director, Nutrition 
Services Staff, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 1012, Alexandria, VA 22302. 
Comments may also be faxed to the attention of Judy F. Wilson at (703) 
305-2576.
    All written comments will be open for public inspection at the 
office of the Food and Nutrition Service during regular business hours 
(8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday) at 3101 Park Center Drive, 
Alexandria, Virginia 22302, Room 1012.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval. All 
comments will be a matter of public record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information 
should be directed to Judy F. Wilson, (703) 305-2585 or Marion Hinners, 
(703) 305-2116.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Nutrition Education Materials for FNS Population Groups.
    OMB Number: Not yet assigned.
    Expiration Date: N/A.
    Type of Request: New collection.
    Abstract: Diet has a significant impact on the health of citizens 
and is linked to four leading causes of disease and premature death. 
Diet also plays a role in the development of other health conditions, 
which can reduce the quality of life and contribute to premature death. 
One of FNS' goals includes improving the nutrition of children and low-
income families by providing access to program benefits and nutrition 
education in a manner that supports American agriculture and inspires 
public confidence.
    Materials in support of nutrition education goals will be developed 
by FNS. Eat Smart. Play Hard.<SUP>TM</SUP> (ESPH) is a project geared 
particularly towards children, including their caregivers, who are 
eligible for FNS nutrition assistance programs. Components already 
completed for ESPH consist of a spokes character with accompanying 
posters, brochures, activity sheets, and a kit of promotional 
materials.
    As part of the Phase II development of ESPH, FNS will develop the 
following:
    1. Additional messages and materials for a subsection of the 
children and caregivers group, materials for Hispanic children and 
caregivers as well as public service announcements (PSA's); and
    2. An interactive Internet Web site.
    In addition to ESPH Phase II, FNS will also develop materials to 
include:
    1. Low-literacy education materials and tools to communicate and 
promote the implementation of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans; and
    2. The conversion of existing English nutrition education materials 
to appropriate language and culture for the Hispanic audiences.
    The materials will be tested using focus groups, short semi-
structured interviews, and web-based tools to test the interactive Web 
site. The groups tested will provide information regarding the 
acceptability of materials and products during both the developmental 
process and during the final product development stage. Semi-structured 
short interviews will be conducted with FNS program recipients, staff, 
stakeholders and consumer volunteers at the State and local levels to 
determine acceptability and efficacy of materials and products 
developed. Interviews will be integrated into other program activities 
as appropriate.
    FNS will also collect information regarding effective nutrition 
education initiatives being implemented by State agencies that 
administer nutrition assistance programs to address critical nutrition 
issues.
    Respondents: Recipients of and those persons eligible for FNS 
nutrition assistance programs, State and local staff administering FNS 
programs, FNS stakeholders and consumers.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: (including padding for variables 
of recruitment, site activity, etc.)

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Phase II of ESPH

Child intercepts--200 respondents  x  4 locations = 800 respondents 
(padded to 1000)
Adult intercepts--200 respondents  x  4 locations = 800 respondents 
(padded to 1000)
Child focus groups--24 grps  x  12 respondents/grp = 288 respondents 
(padded to 300)
Adult focus groups--32 grps  x  12 respondents/grp = 384 respondents 
(padded to 400)
Professional staff--120 respondents
Total = 2272 respondents (padded up to 2700)

Phase II of ESPH Web Site Development

Total = 300 respondents

Dietary Guidelines Low-Literacy Materials

English-speaking intercepts--80 respondents (padded to 100)
Spanish-speaking intercepts--80 respondents (padded to 100)
English-speaking focus groups--12 groups  x  10 respondents = 120 
respondents
Spanish-speaking focus groups--12 groups  x  10 respondents = 120 
respondents
Professional staff--30 respondents (padded to 60)
Total = 430 respondents (padded up to 500)

Spanish Conversion

Spanish focus groups--12 groups  x  10 respondents = 120 respondents
Spanish intercepts--112 respondents (padded to 130)
Total = 232 respondents (padded to 250)

    Grand Total = 3750 respondents.
    Number of Responses per Respondent: 15.
    Estimated Time per Response:
    Total Intercepts (one on one interviews) = 2810  x  30 min (per 
contractor) = 84,300/60 = 1405 hours.
    Total Focus Groups = 1060  x  2 hrs (per contractor) = 2120 hours.
    Total Estimated Hours of Burden not to exceed = 3525 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: Public reporting 
burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 3750 
respondents with a total estimated burden of 3525 hours.

    Dated: December 5, 2001.
George A. Braley,
Acting Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
[FR Doc. 01-30835 Filed 12-13-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-U

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