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 Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service
 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 for Children. These adjustments address changes in the Consumer Price Index, as required under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. The 2015 reimbursement rates are presented as a combined set of rates to highlight simplified cost accounting procedures. The 2015 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.
 DATES: Effective Date: January 1, 2015.
 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tina Namian, Policy and Program Development Division, Child Nutrition Programs, Food and Nutrition Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park Center Drive, Suite 1206, Alexandria, Virginia 22302; or phone 703-305-2590.


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 7 CFR part 3015, subpart V, 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. 3501-3518, 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. 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 United States Department of Agriculture announces the adjustments in SFSP payments for meals served to participating children during calendar year 2015. The 2015 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 nutritional 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 2.9 percent increase in this series for the 12 month period, from November 2013 through November 2014 (from 244.97 in November 2013 to 251.987 in November 2014). Table of 2015 Reimbursement Rates Presentation of the 2015 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, 2015, through December 31, 2015. Summer Food Service Program 2015 Reimbursement Rates (Combined)
Per meal rates in whole or fractions of U.S. dollars
All states except Alaska and Hawaii
Alaska
HawaiiRural or self-prep sites
All other types of sites
Rural or self-prep sites
All other types of sites
Rural or self-prep sites
All other types of sitesBreakfast
2.0775
2.0375
3.3750
3.3100
2.4300
2.3825Lunch or Supper
3.6450
3.5875
5.9100
5.8150
4.2650
4.1950Snack
0.8650
0.8450
1.4025
1.3700
1.0100
0.9875
 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) of the NSLA, 42 U.S.C. 1759a(a)(3)(B).
                    ( print page 2914) Summer Food Service Program Operating Component of 2015 Reimbursement Rates
Operating rates in U.S. dollars, rounded down to the nearest whole cent
All states except Alaska and Hawaii
Alaska
HawaiiBreakfast
1.89
3.07
2.21Lunch or Supper
3.30
5.35
3.86Snack
0.77
1.25
0.90
 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. Summer Food Service Program Administrative Component of 2015 Reimbursement Rates
Administrative rates in U.S. dollars, adjusted, up or down, to the nearest quarter-cent
All states except Alaska and Hawaii
Alaska
HawaiiRural or self-prep sites
All other types of sites
Rural or self-prep sites
All other types of sites
Rural or self-prep sites
All other types of sitesBreakfast
0.1875
0.1475
0.3050
0.2400
0.2200
0.1725Lunch or Supper
0.3450
0.2875
0.5600
0.4650
0.4050
0.3350Snack
0.0950
0.0750
0.1525
0.1200
0.1100
0.0875
 Authority:
                    Sections 9, 13, and 14, Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, 42 U.S.C. 1758, 1761, and 1762a, respectively. Dated: January 14, 2015. Audrey Rowe, Administrator.


[FR Doc. 2015-00877 Filed 1-20-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-30-P