Summary
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 different audiences.
Need and Use of the Information
Obtaining formative input and feedback is fundamental to FNS' success in delivering science-based nutrition messages and reaching different segments of the population in ways that are meaningful and relevant. This includes conferring with target audiences, individuals who serve the target audiences, and key stakeholders on the communication strategies and interventions that will be developed and on the delivery approaches that will be used to reach customers. 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 achieve the intented outcomes of the grants. To this end, FNS confers with grant recipients to obtain input regarding their experiences, expectations, challenges, and lessons learned while implementing the grant.