Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Collect Information

AGENCY:

USDA, Agricultural Research Service, National Agricultural Library.

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations at 5 CFR Part 1320 (60 FR 44978, August 29, 1995), this notice announces the National Agricultural Library's intent to request approval for renewal information collection relating to existing nutrition education and training materials targeting low-income persons. This voluntary form gives Food Stamp nutrition education providers the opportunity to share resources that they have developed or used.

DATES:

Comments on this notice must be received by January 10, 2005 to be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES:

Address all comments concerning this notice to Shannon Fries, Technical Information Specialist, Food and Nutrition Information Center, National Agricultural Library, 10301 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD 20705-2351, telephone (301) 504-5368 or fax (301) 504-6409.

Submit electronic comments to sfries@nal.usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Food Stamp Nutrition Connection Resource Sharing Form.

OMB Number: PRA# 0518-0031.

Expiration Date: Three years from date of approval.

Type of Request: Renewal of existing data collection from Food Stamp nutrition education providers.

Abstract: This voluntary “Sharing Form” gives Food Stamp nutrition education providers the opportunity to share information about resources that they have developed or used. Data collected using this form helps the Food and Nutrition Information Center (FNIC) identify existing nutrition education and training resources for review and inclusion in an online database. Educators can search this database via the Food Stamp Nutrition Connection Web site http://www.nal.usda.gov/foodstamp/. In 2001, the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service established the Food Stamp Nutrition Connection to improve access to Food Stamp Program nutrition resources. Educators nationwide can use this site to identify curricula, lesson plans, research, training tools and participant materials. Developed and maintained at the National Agricultural Library's FNIC, this resource system helps educators find the tools and information they need to provide quality nutrition education for low-income audiences.

The Sharing Form is available for completion online at the Food Stamp Nutrition Connection Web site. Individuals may also print and return it via fax or mail. The form consists of four parts. These various sections include: Part 1 consisting of three questions about the responder; Part 2 with nine questions about the resource; Part 3 with five questions about the resource development; and Part 4 with six questions about ordering/obtaining the resource. Responders are asked to complete only relevant sections of the form. Instructions about which sections to complete, based on one's relationship to the resource, are provided in Part 1. For instance, those that use the resource but are neither its developer or distributor would only complete Parts 1 and 2.

This form enables FNIC to inform nutrition educators of existing nutrition education and training materials targeting low-income Americans. This identification of existing materials will help educators spend their monies wisely in the development of needed educational resources.

Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 0.7 minutes per response.

Respondents: Food stamp nutrition education providers.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 50 per year.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 16 hrs.

Comments

Comments are invited on (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance for 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 the 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 respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technology. Comments should be sent to the address in the preamble. All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval. All comments will become a matter of public record.