Collection Requirements Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations; School Food Purchase Study

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this

notice announces the Food and Consumer Service's (FCS) intention to

request OMB review of the School Food Purchase Study.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by January 16, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Send comments regarding the accuracy of the burden estimate,

ways to minimize the burden, including through the use of automated

collection techniques or other forms of information technology, or any

other aspect of this collection of information to: Michael E. Fishman,

Acting Director, Office of Analysis and Evaluation, Food and Consumer

Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park Center Drive,

Alexandria, VA 22302.

All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the

request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of

public record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Michael E. Fishman, (703) 305-2117.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: The School Food Purchase Study.

OMB Number: Not yet assigned.

Expiration Date: N/A.

Type of Request: New collection of information.

Abstract: This study will provide statistically valid national

estimates of the types, amounts, and costs of food acquired by local

public school districts participating in the National School Lunch

Program and School Breakfast Program. The study will also examine the

changes in the mix of foods acquired by schools since the last study of

school food purchases (School Year 1984-85). In addition, the study

will furnish the opportunity for schools to describe their food

purchase practices so that information associated with food buying

efficiency can be provided to other schools.

A nationally representative sample of 400 School Food Authorities

(SFAs) will be scientifically selected and divided into four subsamples

of 100 SFAs each. Each subgroup of 100 SFAs will provide source

documents (vendor summaries, invoices, etc.) containing complete food

purchase information for all food acquisitions made during one of four

three-month periods. The quarterly sample design insures that data is

collected across the entire school year and restricts the burden on any

one school district to only three months of data collection. SFA food

service directors will also be asked to describe school food purchase

practices and school food service operations.

Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for the collection of

food purchase information is estimated to average 12 hours for each SFA

and 1 hour for the School Food Purchase Practices Questionnaire.

Respondents: The food service directors will be responsible for

aggregating source documents for the food purchase data and responding

to the School Food Purchase Practices Survey.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 400.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: One.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 5,200 hours.

Copies of this information collection can be obtained from John

Endahl, Office of Analysis and Evaluation, Food and Consumer Service,

U.S. Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, VA

22302.

William E. Ludwig,

Administrator, Food and Consumer Service.

[FR Doc. 95-28192 Filed 11-14-95; 8:45 am]

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