Overview
Title
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; 2025 National Household Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey (FoodAPS) Pilot Test
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The U.S. Census Bureau wants to hear what people think about a test they are planning. This test will help them figure out better ways to learn about people's food shopping habits, which they hope will help make better rules about health and how people get food.
Summary AI
The U.S. Census Bureau, part of the Department of Commerce, is requesting public comments on a new information collection for the 2025 National Household Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey (FoodAPS) Pilot Test. This survey aims to gather detailed data on household food purchases and influencing factors to support research and policymaking on health, hunger, and nutrition policies. The Census Bureau will test new methods for collecting this information electronically and hopes to use this pilot study to plan a larger, nationally representative survey in 2027. Public comments are invited to ensure the survey minimizes reporting burdens and meets its objectives.
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AnalysisAI
Summary of the Document
The U.S. Census Bureau, under the Department of Commerce, has announced an upcoming collection of information for a pilot test of the 2025 National Household Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey (FoodAPS). This initiative seeks to gather comprehensive data on how households acquire and purchase food, including the factors that influence these decisions, to support research and policymaking related to nutrition, health, and hunger. The pilot survey, which involves 5,000 respondents, will primarily collect information electronically, paving the way for a larger, nationwide survey planned for 2027. The Bureau is currently seeking public comments to ensure the survey's approach is effective and minimizes the reporting burden on participants.
Significant Issues and Concerns
One significant issue with the document is the lack of detailed cost information regarding this pilot test. Without specific budgetary data, it becomes challenging for stakeholders to evaluate whether the spending is efficient or could potentially be considered wasteful. Furthermore, while the survey aims to inform key policy areas, the document does not offer a detailed explanation of how the 2025 pilot will directly impact its target populations, such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants and low-income households. This lack of specificity may lead to concerns about whether the survey's objectives are clear and achievable.
Moreover, the document does not identify any specific organizations, apart from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Commerce, that might be involved in this survey, resulting in uncertainty about whether external entities might benefit from its findings. Additionally, the document introduces technical terms such as "model-based estimates" and the approach of "self-response only" without detailed explanation. Such terminology could be confusing to the general public, particularly those not versed in survey methodologies.
Lastly, the absence of concrete information on how the collected data will be utilized to directly enhance public policies leaves room for questions about the tangible benefits and value of the survey's outcomes.
Impact on the Public and Stakeholders
Broadly, the impact of this survey on the public could be significant, as it seeks to inform policies that address essential issues like health, nutrition, and hunger. If implemented effectively, the survey could lead to better-informed decisions by policymakers, potentially leading to enhanced nutritional support programs or health initiatives that benefit various segments of the population, especially vulnerable groups.
However, the effectiveness of these outcomes depends on the clarity of the survey’s objectives and methods. As such, stakeholders, particularly those involved in nutrition assistance programs or public health, may be positively impacted if the survey successfully gathers actionable data that leads to policy improvements. On the negative side, if the survey does not effectively address its stated objectives or if its execution is inefficient, stakeholders might face frustration over wasted resources and missed opportunities for meaningful policy advancements.
Overall, while the document outlines an ambitious initiative to collect vital data, it calls for more transparency and clarity to ensure the public and stakeholders fully understand the potential impacts and benefits of the FoodAPS 2025 Pilot Test.
Issues
• The document does not provide any specific cost information for the 2025 National Household Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey (FoodAPS) Pilot Test, making it difficult to assess whether any spending is wasteful or excessive.
• There is no clear explanation of how the 2025 FoodAPS Pilot Test will specifically impact or benefit the target populations, which might suggest unclear objectives or potential inefficiencies.
• The document does not list any specific organizations or individuals involved, other than the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Commerce, making it unclear whether any particular external organizations might benefit from the survey.
• The mention of 'model-based estimates' and 'self-response only' approaches are not explained in detail, which may be complex for the general public to understand if they are not familiar with survey methodologies.
• The document does not specify how the collected data will be used to improve public policies, which might make it difficult for the public to understand the survey's tangible impact or value.