Search Results for agency_names:"Food and Nutrition Service"

The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) decided to withdraw a proposed rule aimed at improving the quality control system for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Initially published on September 19, 2023, this rule was designed to enhance SNAP's integrity and accuracy as part of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. FNS will continue to collaborate with stakeholders to explore new regulations and improve overall program oversight and state compliance. This withdrawal allows the FNS to consider additional strategies for enhancing SNAP's quality control efforts.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced new reimbursement rates for meals provided under the Summer Food Service Program for 2025. These rates have been adjusted to account for inflation, resulting in an average increase of 3.6% from the previous year. The adjustments are based on changes in the Consumer Price Index and will apply to both operating and administrative costs of the program, which will take effect from January 1, 2025. The changes aim to simplify accounting procedures and ensure sponsors can manage reimbursements efficiently while maintaining nutrition standards.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is seeking public comments to guide future policies regarding the use of grain-based desserts and high-protein yogurt in child nutrition programs. This includes considering how these foods contribute to meal patterns and exploring ways to reduce added sugars. The FNS is particularly interested in feedback on the definition and crediting of high-protein yogurt and how to categorize and manage grain-based desserts to improve nutritional standards. Public comments will be accepted until March 26, 2025.

The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of the USDA plans to update an existing online form for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed). The form, called the SNAP-Ed Connection Resource Sharing Form, is used by SNAP-Ed personnel and nutrition education developers to submit educational materials for review and potential inclusion in the SNAP-Ed Library. The updates aim to improve data accuracy without increasing the users' workload. Comments on these proposed changes are invited by April 19, 2021, and may include suggestions on minimizing the form's information collection burden.

The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture is correcting a final rule regarding improvements in food distribution programs. This correction, effective December 30, 2024, aims to enhance access and parity for eligible populations and simplifies requirements for program operators. It involves ensuring adherence to programs' caseload allocations, updating online information about local agencies and state plans, correcting definitions and instructions in the regulations, and providing clear guidelines on eligibility and income deductions.

The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of the USDA is seeking public comments on a new proposed information collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act. This collection, known as the Study of Nutrition and Activity in Child Care Settings II (SNACS-II), aims to gather comprehensive data on the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and update information following new meal pattern requirements introduced in 2017. The study will analyze various aspects, such as the nutritional quality of meals, children's dietary intakes, and the costs involved in providing meals. Public input is requested by April 19, 2021, and all comments will contribute to the final request for approval by the Office of Management and Budget.

The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of the USDA has issued a notice seeking public comments on the proposed revision of an information collection related to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This collection aims to gather data for quality control, specifically looking at negative case actions. The need for comments is to ensure that the information collected effectively supports the agency's functions while minimizing the burden on respondents. The document outlines details such as the estimated number of respondents, total annual burden hours, and recordkeeping requirements.

The final rule published by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) modifies SNAP's Employment and Training (E&T) program following the 2018 Agriculture Improvement Act. The rule aims to strengthen support systems for SNAP participants by introducing several changes: it replaces traditional job search activities with supervised job search, requires case management for all participants, adds apprenticeships and subsidized employment activities, and enforces a minimum period for job retention services. The rule also mandates more robust state accountability measures, including detailed participant notifications about their work requirements and better data collection on participant outcomes.

The Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is seeking proposals from eligible Tribal Organizations to participate in a demonstration project aimed at purchasing agricultural commodities for the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR). This project is authorized by the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 and will allow selected Tribal Organizations to enter self-determination contracts for food purchases. A total of $3 million is allocated for the project, with individual proposals not exceeding $1.5 million. Proposals should be submitted by March 15, 2021, and organizations will be selected based on various criteria, including their capacity to purchase and distribute locally grown foods.

The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of the USDA has issued a notice for public comment on a proposed information collection related to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This involves using data from the National Directory of New Hires (NDNH) to verify employment information for SNAP applicants and recipients. The goal is to ensure that households receive the correct amount of benefits based on accurate employment data. Public comments are invited on the effectiveness and efficiency of this information collection.