FR 2024-30417

The Federal Register document under review is a notice published by the Department of Agriculture requesting public comments on a proposed information collection initiative. This initiative is part of the department's compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, a law designed to minimize the burden of federal paperwork on businesses and individuals. Specifically, the Economic Research Service (ERS) will gather data to assess food security within the United States through the Food Security Supplement to the Current Population Survey (CPS-FSS).

General Overview

The proposal seeks input on several fronts: the necessity and effectiveness of the data collection, the accuracy of the burdens estimated in terms of time and effort required of the participants, and suggestions for enhancing the quality and utility of the collected information. This initiative forms a critical component of the ERS's mission to assess food security levels in U.S. households. The gathered information is used yearly to report the prevalence of food security, food insecurity, and very low food security, guiding research efforts and informing public and private sector policy decisions.

Significant Issues and Concerns

One of the concerns with the document is its limited explanation of how public feedback might influence the project's future direction. Although it invites comments, more explicit guidance on how this input will be utilized could increase the motivation for stakeholders to engage.

Adding to this, the document's language around the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number seems somewhat technical, which might confuse respondents who are unfamiliar with its relevance. Improving clarity here could help respondents better understand the significance of the control number in identifying legitimate federally-backed surveys.

The explanation under "Need and Use of the Information" could be expanded to illustrate more clearly how the collected data will practically influence policy and benefit the public. Providing tangible examples or historical instances of data impacting decisions could demonstrate the importance of public participation.

Furthermore, a deeper dive into how the "burden hours" are calculated would enhance transparency and assure respondents that the survey demands have been carefully considered. Currently, the estimation of total burden hours is presented without detailed backing, which might raise questions about accuracy and fairness.

Lastly, terms like "selected population subgroups" and "very low food security" might not be universally understood. Providing clear definitions within the document would be beneficial to ensure that all respondents, regardless of their background, fully grasp the context and relevance of the survey.

Impact on the Public Broadly

The broader public could be positively impacted by an improved understanding of food security in the U.S., enabling policymakers and researchers to design more effective food assistance and nutrition programs. However, the success of this data collection—and thus its positive impact—relies on participation and accurate responses from a broad swath of the population.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

For individuals or households identified as food insecure, the data gathered could lead to more targeted and effective interventions, potentially improving access to necessary resources. Meanwhile, agencies and organizations involved in food assistance programs could see a refinement of policies based on more accurate data about food security trends.

In contrast, potential negative impacts include the burden of participation on respondents, particularly if the process is time-consuming or unclear. This burden emphasizes the importance of minimizing survey complexities and clearly communicating the survey's purpose and value.

In conclusion, while the document marks a critical step in addressing food security issues, it could see improvements in areas such as transparency, clarity of technical aspects, and communication of its practical impact, which would likely enhance public engagement and response quality.