[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 98 (Tuesday, May 20, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29107-29108]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-11236]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food and Nutrition Service
Request for Public Comments for Use in Preparing for 2009
Reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Programs and the Special
Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children
AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This notice announces a request for public comments to help
senior officials of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
prepare for the 2009 Reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Programs
and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and
Children (WIC). USDA believes that public input and assessment of the
performance of current programs--including WIC, National School Lunch
Program, School Breakfast Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program,
Summer Food Service Program, WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program,
Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, and Special Milk Program--are
essential to help the Department plan for reauthorization.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The nutrition assistance programs administered by USDA work
together to ensure a nutrition safety net for the Nation's children,
elderly, and low-income families. These programs help protect children
and low-income households from hunger. They inform all of us about the
importance of healthful diets and active lifestyles. They help to
prevent the health problems associated with poor nutrition and physical
inactivity for all Americans.
While these programs are designed to meet the needs of people of
all ages who may require assistance, they focus most strongly on the
needs of children. The Child Nutrition Programs include the school meal
programs (National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program)
and the Child and Adult Care Food Program, which support nutritious
meals and snacks served to children in schools, child care
institutions, and afterschool care programs. In addition, the Summer
Food Service Program and the Seamless Summer component of the National
School Lunch Program provide nutritious food to children in programs in
the summer months, when school is not in session.
WIC addresses the special needs of at-risk, low-income pregnant,
breastfeeding, and postpartum women, infants, and children up to five
years of age. It provides participants with monthly supplemental food
packages targeted to their dietary needs, nutrition education, and
referrals to a range of health and social services--benefits that
promote a healthy pregnancy for mothers and a healthy start for their
children.
Public Comment Submission
The reauthorization process provides Congress with a regular
opportunity to examine the operation and effectiveness of the Federal
nutrition assistance programs, and consider making improvements to
their statutory structure under the Richard B. Russell
[[Page 29108]]
National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751-1769i) and the Child
Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771-1791). In anticipation of these
discussions, USDA intends to gather input that will help the Department
better understand the needs and concerns of program cooperators and
participants at the State and local levels, including representatives
from State agencies, local program offices, industry, and State and
local advocacy groups.
This notice provides the public the opportunity to comment in
writing on the issues that USDA expects to address in preparing for
this reauthorization process. USDA has developed a framework of three
themes to help focus the discussion of reauthorization issues.
Commenters will be asked to address, but not be limited to, issues
related to specific aspects of WIC, the WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition
Program, National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Child
and Adult Care Food Program, Summer Food Service Program, Fresh Fruit
and Vegetable Program, and Special Milk Program. Key among these are:
Strengthening program management and improving nutrition
services,
Ensuring that all eligible persons have access to program
benefits, and
Advancing technology and innovation.
Electronic Access and Filing Addresses
USDA invites interested persons to submit written comments
electronically or by postal mail. To be assured of consideration,
written comments must be received on or before October 15, 2008.
Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments electronically.
Mail: Address comments to Mr. Robert M. Eadie, Chief, Policy and
Program Development Branch, Child Nutrition Division, Food and
Nutrition Service, Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park Center Drive,
Room 640, Alexandria, Virginia 22302-1594.
Fax: Submit comments by facsimile transmission to: 703-305-2879,
attention Mr. Robert M. Eadie.
Hand Delivery or Courier: Deliver comments to 3101 Park Center
Drive, Room 640, Alexandria, Virginia 22302-1594, during normal
business hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
All comments submitted in response to this notice will be included
in the record and will be made available to the public. Please be
advised that comments, as well as the identity of the individuals or
entities submitting the comments, will be subject to public disclosure.
All submissions will be available for public inspection at the address
noted above, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. USDA may also
make the comments available on the Federal eRulemaking portal.
Dated: May 14, 2008.
Eric Steiner,
Acting Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
[FR Doc. E8-11236 Filed 5-19-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-P