Comment Request - Generic Clearance To Conduct Formative Research or Development of Nutrition Education and Promotion Materials and Related Tools and Grants for FNS Population Groups

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and other interested parties to comment on a proposed information collection. This collection is an extension of a currently approved collection. This information collection will conduct research in support of FNS' goal of delivering science-based nutrition education to targeted audiences. This information collection will also conduct research that will assist FNS in identifying effective design and implementation approaches to use to develop and assess grants. From development through testing of materials and tools with the target audience, FNS plans to conduct data collections that involve formative research including focus groups, interviews (dyad, triad, telephone, etc.), surveys and Web-based collection tools.

This information collection is based on Section 19 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 USC 1787), Section 5 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 USC 1754) and Section 11(f) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 USC 2020). This request for approval of information collection is necessary to obtain input into the development of nutrition education interventions for population groups served by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service (USDA-FNS). FNS also uses this collection to obtain input that can be used to develop and assess grants. Interventions need to be designed so that they can be delivered through different types of media and in a variety of formats for diverse audiences.

FNS develops a variety of resources to support nutrition education and promotion activities. These resources are designed to convey science-based, behavior-focused nutrition messages about healthy eating and physical activity to children and adults eligible to participate in FNS nutrition assistance programs and to motivate them to consume more healthful foods as defined by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA). This includes education materials, messages, promotion tools and interventions for the diverse population served by the federal nutrition programs as well as WIC, Team Nutrition, food distribution and other programs.

Obtaining formative input and feedback is fundamental to FNS' success in delivering science-based nutrition messages and reaching diverse segments of the population in ways that are meaningful and relevant. This includes conferring with the target audience, individuals who serve the target audience, and key stakeholders on the communication strategies and interventions that will be developed and on the delivery approaches that will be used to reach consumers. The formative research and testing activities described will help in the development of effective education and promotion tools and communication strategies. Collection of this information will increase FNS' ability to formulate nutrition education interventions that resonate with the intended target population, particularly low-income families.

FNS also uses formative input and feedback to determine how best to develop and assess grants so that grant recipients can successfully meet their goals under these grants. To do this, FNS confers with grant recipients to obtain input regarding their experiences, expectations, challenges, and lessons learned while implementing the grant.

Formative research methods and information collection will include focus groups, interviews (dyad, triad, telephone, etc.), surveys and Web-based data collection. The data obtained will provide input regarding the potential use of materials and products during both the developmental and testing stages, in addition to the development of grants. Key informant interviews will be conducted in order to determine future nutrition education and grant needs, tools and dissemination strategies. This task involves collecting a diverse array of information from a variety of groups including: People familiar with the target audiences; individuals delivering nutrition education intervention materials and projects; program providers at state and local levels; program participants; grant recipients, and other relevant informants associated with FNS programs.

Findings from all data collection will be included in summary reports submitted to USDA-FNS. The reports will describe the data collection methods, findings, conclusions, implications, and recommendations for the development and effective dissemination of nutrition education materials and related tools for FNS population groups. There will be no specific quantitative analysis of data. No attempt will be made to generalize the findings to be nationally representative or statistically valid. There are no recordkeeping or third party disclosure burden requirements.