This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER

contains documents other than rules or

proposed rules that are applicable to the

public. Notices of hearings and investigations,

committee meetings, agency decisions and

rulings, delegations of authority, filing of

petitions and applications and agency

statements of organization and functions are

examples of documents appearing in this

section.

Notices Federal Register

3631 

Vol. 89, No. 13 

Friday, January 19, 2024 

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

Food and Nutrition Service 

Summer Food Service Program; 2024 

Reimbursement Rates 

AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service, 

USDA. 

ACTION: Notice. 

SUMMARY: This notice informs the public 

of the annual adjustments to the 

reimbursement rates for meals served in 

the Summer Food Service Program. 

These adjustments address changes in 

the Consumer Price Index, as required 

under the Richard B. Russell National 

School Lunch Act. The 2024 

reimbursement rates are presented as a 

combined set of rates to highlight 

simplified cost accounting procedures. 

The 2024 rates are also presented 

individually, as separate operating and 

administrative rates of reimbursement, 

to show the effect of the Consumer Price 

Index adjustment on each rate. On 

average, the 2024 rates adjustment 

represents a 5.3 percent increase in the 

rates from last year. 

DATES: This adjustment is applicable 

January 1, 2024. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Penny Burke, Program Monitoring and 

Operational Support Division, Child 

Nutrition Programs, Food and Nutrition 

Service, United States Department of 

Agriculture, 1320 Braddock Place, Suite 

401, Alexandria, Virginia 22314, (303) 

844–0357. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 

Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) 

is listed in the Catalog of Federal 

Domestic Assistance under No. 10.559 

and is subject to the provisions of 

Executive Order 12372, which requires 

intergovernmental consultation with 

State and local officials. (See 2 CFR, 415 

and final rule-related notice published 

at 48 FR 29114, June 24, 1983.) 

In accordance with the Paperwork 

Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501– 

3520, no new recordkeeping or 

reporting requirements have been 

included that are subject to approval 

from the Office of Management and 

Budget. 

This notice is not a rule as defined by 

the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 

601–612, and thus is exempt from the 

provisions of that Act. Additionally, this 

notice has been determined to be 

exempt from formal review by the Office 

of Management and Budget under 

Executive Order 12866. 

Special Note: While the United States 

Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food 

and Nutrition Service (FNS) does not 

have the authority to adjust 

reimbursement rates above inflation in 

the contiguous United States (CONUS), 

pursuant to section 12 of the Richard B. 

Russell National School Lunch Act (42 

U.S.C. 1760), USDA may make 

adjustments to reimbursement rates in 

the outlying areas to reflect differences 

between the cost of providing meals and 

supplements in those areas and the 

costs of providing meals and 

supplements in all other States. 

Therefore, FNS is increasing the 

reimbursement rates for the child 

nutrition programs in Guam, Hawaii, 

Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands to 30 

percent above CONUS rates. This 

adjustment to the Summer Food Service 

Program rates will be applied beginning 

on January 1, 2024, until further notice. 

Definitions 

The terms used in this notice have the 

meaning ascribed to them under 7 CFR 

part 225 of the SFSP regulations. 

Background 

This notice informs the public of the 

annual adjustments to the 

reimbursement rates for meals served in 

SFSP. In accordance with sections 12(f) 

and 13, 42 U.S.C. 1760(f) and 1761 of 

the Richard B. Russell National School 

Lunch Act (NSLA) and SFSP regulations 

under 7 CFR part 225, the USDA 

announces the adjustments in SFSP 

payments for meals served to 

participating children during calendar 

year 2024. 

The 2024 reimbursement rates are 

presented as a combined set of rates to 

highlight simplified cost accounting 

procedures. Reimbursement is based 

solely on a ‘‘meals times rates’’ 

calculation, without comparison to 

actual or budgeted costs. 

Sponsors receive reimbursement that 

is determined by the number of 

reimbursable meals served, multiplied 

by the combined rates for food service 

operations and administration. 

However, the combined rate is based on 

separate operating and administrative 

rates of reimbursement, each of which is 

adjusted differently for inflation. 

Calculation of Rates 

The combined rates are constructed 

from individually authorized operating 

and administrative reimbursements. 

Simplified procedures provide 

flexibility, enabling sponsors to manage 

their reimbursements to pay for any 

allowable cost, regardless of the cost 

category. Sponsors remain responsible, 

however, for ensuring proper 

administration of the Program, while 

providing the best possible nutrition 

benefit to children. 

The operating and administrative 

rates are calculated separately. 

However, the calculations of 

adjustments for both cost categories are 

based on the same set of changes in the 

Food Away from Home series of the 

Consumer Price Index for All Urban 

Consumers, published by the Bureau of 

Labor Statistics of the United States 

Department of Labor. They represent a 

5.3 percent increase in this series for the 

12-month period, from November 2022 

through November 2023 (from 342.266 

in November 2022 to 360.383 in 

November 2023). 

Table of 2024 Reimbursement Rates 

Presentation of the 2024 maximum 

per meal rates for meals served to 

children in SFSP combines the results 

from the calculations of operational and 

administrative payments, which are 

further explained in this notice. The 

total amount of payments to State 

agencies for disbursement to SFSP 

sponsors will be based upon these 

adjusted combined rates and the 

number of meals of each type served. 

These adjusted rates will be in effect 

from January 1, 2024, through December 

31, 2024. 

These changes are reflected below. 

All States except Alaska and 

Hawaii—Rural or Self-prep Sites— 

Breakfast—2 dollars and 97.75 cents 

(15.25 cent increase from the 2023 

reimbursement rate), Lunch or Supper— 

5 dollars and 21.25 cents (26.25 cent 

increase), Snack—1 dollar and 23.50 

cents (6.75 cent increase); All Other 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
3632 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 13 / Friday, January 19, 2024 / Notices 

1Starting January 1, 2024, Guam, Puerto Rico, 

and Virgin Islands receive the same reimbursement 

rates as Hawaii for Summer Food Service Program. 

Types of Sites—Breakfast—2 dollars and 

92.25 cents (15 cent increase), Lunch or 

Supper—5 dollars and 13 cents (26 cent 

increase), Snack—1 dollar and 20.50 

cents (6.50 cent increase). 

Alaska—Rural or Self-prep Sites— 

Breakfast—4 dollars and 82.50 cents 

(24.25 cent increase), Lunch or 

Supper—8 dollars and 45 cents (42 cent 

increase), Snack—1 dollar and 99.75 

cents (10 cent increase); All Other Types 

of Sites—Breakfast—4 dollars and 73.50 

cents (23.75 cent increase), Lunch or 

Supper—8 dollars and 31.25 cents 

(41.25 cent increase), Snack—1 dollar 

and 95.25 cents (10 cent increase). 

Guam, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and 

Virgin Islands 1—Rural or Self-prep 

Sites—Breakfast—3 dollars and 87 cents 

(56.25 cent increase), Lunch or 

Supper—6 dollars and 78.25 cents 

(98.50 cent increase), Snack—1 dollar 

and 60.50 cents (23.50 cent increase); 

All Other Types of Sites—Breakfast—3 

dollars and 79.50 cents (55 cent 

increase), Lunch or Supper—6 dollars 

and 67.25 cent (96.75 cent increase), 

Snack—1 dollar and 56.75 cents (23 

cent increase). 

2024 REIMBURSEMENT RATES (COMBINED) 

Per meal rates in whole or fractions of 

U.S. dollars 

All states 

except Alaska 

and Hawaii 

All states 

except Alaska 

and Hawaii 

Alaska Alaska Guam, Hawaii, 

Puerto Rico, 

and Virgin 

Islands 

Guam, Hawaii, 

Puerto Rico, 

and Virgin 

Islands 

Site types Rural or selfprep sites All other types 

of sites 

Rural or selfprep sites All other types 

of sites Rural or selfprep sites 

All other types 

of sites 

Breakfast .................................................. 2.9775 2.9225 4.8250 4.7350 3.8700 3.7950 

Lunch or Supper ...................................... 5.2125 5.1300 8.4500 8.3125 6.7825 6.6725 

Snack ....................................................... 1.2350 1.2050 1.9975 1.9525 1.6050 1.5675 

Operating Rates 

The portion of the SFSP rates for 

operating costs is based on payment 

amounts set in section 13(b)(1) of the 

NSLA, 42 U.S.C. 1761(b)(1). They are 

rounded down to the nearest whole 

cent, as required by section 

11(a)(3)(B)(iii) of the NSLA, 42 U.S.C. 

1759a(a)(3)(B)(iii). 

These changes are reflected below. 

All States except Alaska and 

Hawaii—Breakfast—2 dollars and 71 

cents (14 cents increase from the 2023 

reimbursement rate), Lunch or Supper— 

4 dollars and 72 cents (24 cents 

increase), Snack—1 dollar and 10 cents 

(6 cents increase). 

Alaska—Breakfast—4 dollars and 39 

cents (22 cents increase), Lunch or 

Supper—7 dollars and 65 cents (38 

cents increase), Snack—1 dollar and 78 

cents (9 cents increase). 

Guam, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and 

Virgin Islands—Breakfast—3 dollars and 

52 cents (51 cents increase), Lunch or 

Supper—6 dollars and 14 cents (89 

cents increase), Snack—1 dollar and 43 

cents (21 cents increase). 

OPERATING COMPONENT OF 2024 REIMBURSEMENT RATES

Operating rates in U.S. dollars, rounded down to the nearest whole cent 

All states 

except Alaska 

and Hawaii 

Alaska 

Guam, Hawaii, 

Puerto Rico, 

and Virgin 

Islands 

Breakfast ................................................................................................................................ 2.71 4.39 3.52 

Lunch or Supper .................................................................................................................... 4.72 7.65 6.14 

Snack ..................................................................................................................................... 1.10 1.78 1.43 

Administrative Rates 

The administrative cost component of 

the reimbursement is authorized under 

section 13(b)(3) of the NSLA, 42 U.S.C. 

1761(b)(3). Rates are higher for sponsors 

of sites located in rural areas and for 

‘‘self-prep’’ sponsors that prepare their 

own meals at the SFSP site or at a 

central facility instead of purchasing 

them from vendors. The administrative 

portion of SFSP rates are adjusted, 

either up or down, to the nearest 

quarter-cent. 

These changes are reflected below. 

All States except Alaska and 

Hawaii—Rural or Self-prep Sites— 

Breakfast—26.75 cents (1.25 cent 

increase from the 2023 reimbursement 

rate), Lunch or Supper—49.25 cents 

(2.25 cent increase), Snack—13.50 cents 

(0.75 cent increase); All Other Types of 

Sites—Breakfast—21.25 cents (1 cent 

increase), Lunch or Supper—41 cents (2 

cent increase), Snack 10.50 cents (0.50 

cent increase). 

Alaska—Rural or Self-prep Sites— 

Breakfast—43.50 cents (2.25 cent 

increase), Lunch or Supper—80 cents (4 

cent increase), Snack—21.75 cents (1 

cent increase); All Other Types of 

Sites—Breakfast—34.50 cents (1.75 cent 

increase), Lunch or Supper—66.25 cents 

(3.25 cent increase), Snack—17.25 cents 

(1 cent increase). 

Guam, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and 

Virgin Islands—Rural or Self-prep 

Sites—Breakfast—35 cents (5.25 cent 

increase), Lunch or Supper—64.25 cents 

(9.50 cents increase), Snack—17.50 

cents (2.50 cent increase); All Other 

Types of Sites—Breakfast—27.50 cents 

(4 cent increase), Lunch or Supper— 

53.25 cents (7.75 cent increase), Snack— 

13.75 cents (2 cent increase). 


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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 13 / Friday, January 19, 2024 / Notices 3633 

1The Thrifty Food Plan, 2021 report and 

supplemental materials are available at: https://

www.fns.usda.gov/cnpp/thrifty-food-plan-2021. 

2The Thrifty Food Plan Cost Estimates for Alaska 

and Hawaii report and supplemental materials are 

available at: https://www.fns.usda.gov/cnpp/tfpakhi. 

ADMINISTRATIVE COMPONENT OF 2024 REIMBURSEMENT RATES

Administrative rates in U.S. dollars, 

adjusted, up or down, to the nearest 

quarter-cent 

All states 

except Alaska 

and Hawaii 

All states 

except Alaska 

and Hawaii 

Alaska Alaska Guam, Hawaii, 

Puerto Rico, 

and Virgin 

Islands 

Guam, Hawaii, 

Puerto Rico, 

and Virgin 

Islands 

Site types Rural or selfprep sites 

All other types 

of sites 

Rural or selfprep sites All other types 

of sites Rural or selfprep sites 

All other types 

of sites 

Breakfast .................................................. 0.2675 0.2125 0.4350 0.3450 0.3500 0.2750

Lunch or Supper ...................................... 0.4925 0.4100 0.8000 0.6625 0.6425 0.5325

Snack ....................................................... 0.1350 0.1050 0.2175 0.1725 0.1750 0.1375

Authority: Sections 9, 13, and 14, 

Richard B. Russell National School 

Lunch Act, 42 U.S.C. 1758, 1761, and 

1762a, respectively. 

Cynthia Long, 

Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service. 

[FR Doc. 2024–01009 Filed 1–18–24; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3410–30–P 

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

Food and Nutrition Service 

Request for Information: Food Price 

Data for State of Hawaii 

AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service 

(FNS), USDA. 

ACTION: Notice. 

SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of 

Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and 

Nutrition Service (FNS) requests 

comments from the public—including 

the food industry and research 

community—to help inform future 

policy and decisions about potentially 

updating Thrifty Food Plan (TFP) cost 

estimates for the State of Hawaii. 

Specifically, FNS invites comments and 

ideas about food price data for the State 

of Hawaii—including communities in 

the State outside of the County of 

Honolulu—that may be available, 

potentially accessible to FNS, and of 

sufficient quality, format, sample size, 

and recent period to be used potentially 

by FNS to make cost adjustments for the 

State of Hawaii to the TFP pursuant to 

section 3(u)(2) of the Food and Nutrition 

Act of 2008, as amended. Comments 

must be received on or before March 4, 

2024. 

DATES: Written comments must be 

received on or before March 4, 2024. 

ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent to: 

Kevin Meyers Mathieu, Economic 

Advisor, Nutrition Guidance and 

Analysis Division, Center for Nutrition 

Policy and Promotion, Food and 

Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of 

Agriculture, 1320 Braddock Place, 

Fourth Floor, Alexandria, VA 22314. 

Comments may also be submitted via 

email to fns.foodplans@usda.gov. 

Comments will also be accepted through 

the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Go to 

http://www.regulations.gov and follow 

the online instructions for submitting 

comments electronically. All comments 

received in response to this notice will 

be a matter of public record. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Requests for additional information or 

copies of this information collection 

should be directed to Kevin Meyers 

Mathieu, Economic Advisor, Nutrition 

Guidance and Analysis Division, Center 

for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, 

Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. 

Department of Agriculture, at 703–946– 

7619. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FNS 

makes this request with the goal of 

maximizing the range of food price data 

specific to communities in the State of 

Hawaii outside of the County of 

Honolulu—that is, the Neighbor 

Islands—that may become accessible to 

the Agency and available for the Agency 

to assess in terms of feasibility to use for 

updating TFP cost estimates in Hawaii. 

Data should be of a similar quality, 

format, and sample size to data used for 

reevaluating the TFP for the mainland 

United States in August 2021 (Thrifty 

Food Plan, 2021, FNS–916) 1 and 

making cost adjustments for Alaska and 

Hawaii in July 2023 (Thrifty Food Plan 

Cost Estimates for Alaska and Hawaii, 

FNS–989).2

The TFP represents a healthy, 

practical, cost-conscious diet for a 

family of four, and its cost forms the 

basis for Supplemental Nutrition 

Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit 

levels. Through a rigorous and 

transparent process, USDA used 

updated food price data to recalculate 

the cost estimates of the TFP for Alaska 

and Hawaii. This update ensured SNAP 

participants in Alaska and Hawaii have 

a data-driven benefit amount that is 

equitable to the benefits provided to 

people living in the 48 contiguous 

States and DC so they can afford 

nutritious food essential for health and 

well-being. 

The updated cost estimates for Alaska 

and Hawaii were calculated in 

alignment with the existing statutory 

and regulatory framework. Namely, TFP 

costs for Alaska and Hawaii were 

calculated by comparing food prices in 

the 48 contiguous States and DC to 

those in Anchorage and Honolulu, 

respectively. The Anchorage TFP cost is 

further adjusted to reflect food prices 

throughout urban and rural areas of the 

State of Alaska, as per statute. In 

contrast, the Honolulu TFP cost, as per 

regulation, is used as the basis for SNAP 

benefits throughout the entire State of 

Hawaii. Evidence suggests that 

Honolulu was originally used because it 

was the only location in the State where 

the Bureau of Labor Statistics routinely 

collected food price information at the 

time. The availability of food price data 

in the State of Hawaii—including 

communities in the State outside of the 

County of Honolulu—of sufficient 

quality, format, sample size, and recent 

period may motivate a reexamination of 

the regulatory language that stipulates 

Honolulu as the basis for the Hawaii 

TFP cost estimate. The features of the 

data may also contribute to potential 

future decisions on a preferred 

methodology that could be used to 

calculate a Hawaii TFP cost using food 

price data from throughout the State of 

Hawaii. 

List of Questions for Commenters 

The Agency requests responses to the 

following questions: 

Question 1: How does the cost of food 

differ between the Island of Oahu (i.e., 

the County of Honolulu) and the 

Neighbor Islands (i.e., all other areas of 

the State of Hawaii)? To what extent are 

any differences in the cost of food 

driven by differences in prices for 

identical foods and beverages versus 

differences in other factors (e.g., regionVerDate Sep<11>2014 18:42 Jan 18, 2024 Jkt 262001 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\19JAN1.SGM 19JAN1

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