Comment Request: National School Lunch Program

The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, PL 104–13. Comments are requested regarding; whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Comments regarding this information collection received by Aug. 28, 2023 will be considered. Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be submitted within 30 days of the publication of this notice on the following website www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular information collection by selecting “Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments” or by using the search function.

Summary of Collection

Section 10 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 USC 1779) requires the Secretary of Agriculture to prescribe such regulations as deemed necessary to carry out this Act and the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (NSLA) (42 USC 1751 et seq.). The NSLA, as amended, authorizes the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) to safeguard the health and well-being of the Nation's children and provide free or reduced-price school lunches to eligible students through subsidies to schools. As required, the Secretary of Agriculture issued 7 CFR part 210, which sets forth policies and procedures for the administration and operation of the NSLP.

Needs and Use of the Information

This ongoing information collection is required to administer and operate this program in accordance with the NSLA. The Program is administered at the state agency and school food authority (SFA)/local education agency (LEA) levels and states, SFAs/LEAs, and schools under this Act are required to keep accounts and records as may be necessary to enable FNS to determine whether the program is in compliance with this Act and the regulations. Program operations include the submission of applications and agreements and monthly reports of program participation and numbers of meals served submitted from monthly claims for reimbursement. Records maintained include documentation of payment of monthly claims, annual data from Program monitoring reviews, and menu and food production records. In addition to reporting and maintaining records, the states and SFAs/LEAs have publication notification requirements as well. State agencies must post summaries of the most recent administrative review results of SFAs on their websites. LEAs must inform the public annually about the content and implementation of local school wellness policies and must conduct triennial assessments of schools' compliance with the local school wellness policies and inform the public about the progress. FNS uses this information to properly monitor State agency and SFA/LEA compliance.