SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Local Food Directories.

OMB Number: 0581-0169.

Expiration Date of Approval: October 31, 2026.

Type of Request: Extension of currently approved information collection.

Abstract: Under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.), AMS is responsible for conducting research to enhance market access for small and medium sized farmers. The role of the Local and Regional Foods Division (LFRD) of AMS is to facilitate distribution of U.S. agricultural products. The division identifies marketing opportunities, provides analysis to help take advantage of those opportunities and develops and evaluates strategies including methods to diversify farming operations of direct from farm-to-customer enterprises.

The USDA Local Food Directories are managed and operated by the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). These directories serve a wide range of stakeholders. From customers looking to buy fresh local foods for their families to wholesale food buyers, you can quickly identify nearby suppliers of local food. By listing their business information in the directories, farmers, producers and distributors of local foods can take advantage of opportunities in both direct-to-consumer and wholesale markets.

The definitions of farmers markets, on-farm markets, community-supported agriculture (CSA), agritourism, and food hubs, as utilized by AMS for the purposes of the Local Food Directories are listed below.

A farmers market is defined as two or more farm vendors selling agricultural products directly to customers at a common, recurrent physical location.

An agritourism operation is a working farm, ranch, aquaculture and agroforestry. An agritourism directory is a list of working farms, ranches, aquaculture and agroforestry operations that provide education and recreation opportunities, active-involvement experiences ( e.g., farming activities, processing), as well as retailing and hospitality ( e.g., accommodations, dining) facilities and services for the enjoyment of visitors that generate supplemental income, create and grow farm product markets i.e., for local foods, and build understanding of agriculture. A working farm, ranch, aquaculture or agroforestry operation is defined as an area of land and buildings, or water (ponds, lakes, rivers, oceans), including within and around cities, that is currently being utilized to raise and grow domesticated animals, plants, trees, and freshwater and marine fish and shellfish, for food and beverages, including vegetables, fruits, herbs, meats, dairy products, oils, cereals, fish and shellfish, and products for direct sales to customers, and/or immediate consumption or enjoyment of customers, that are grown or processed there ( e.g., Christmas trees, pinyon seeds, ginseng, wool, wine, beer, cheeses, nursery plants).

An on-farm market is a single farm operation that sells agricultural and/or horticultural products directly to customers on its farm property or on property adjacent to its farm. Most products sold at the on-farm market are either grown on the proprietor's farm or are sourced from neighboring farms. An on-farm market may operate seasonally or year-round. On-farm markets are an important component of direct marketing, adding value by offering customers a visit to the farm and the opportunity to purchase products from the people who grew them.

A CSA enterprise is defined as a farm or network/association of multiple farms that offer customers regular (usually weekly) deliveries of locally-grown farm products during one or more harvest season(s) on a subscription or membership basis. Customers have access to a selected share or range of farm products offered by a single farm or group of farmers based on partial or ( printed page 66072) total advance payment of a subscription or membership fee. The up-front working capital generated by selling shares reduces the financial risk to the farmer(s). Generally, farmers receive better prices for their crops and have reduced marketing costs. Consumers benefit by receiving a periodic (usually weekly) delivery of fresh locally-grown fruits, vegetables, meats, eggs and other produce. They also benefit from the ability to collectively support the sustainability of local farmers.

A food hub is a business or organization that actively manages the aggregation, distribution, and marketing of source-identified food products to multiple buyers from multiple producers, primarily local and regional producers, to strengthen the ability of these producers to satisfy local and regional wholesale, retail, and institutional demand. This marketing channel also allows farm operators to capture a larger share of consumers' food dollar.

This information is provided voluntarily by business owners and managers and will be used to continue building the USDA Local Food Directories describing the characteristics of local food operations and working farms.

Topic areas in the entry form:

—Characteristics of local food business

—Contact information

—Types of products sold

—Location of the business

—Operation schedule

—Activities

Authority: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.). 7 U.S.C. 1621 Congressional declaration of purpose; use of existing facilities; cooperation with States. 7 U.S.C. 1622(a)-(b) 1622. Duties of Secretary relating to agricultural products. 7 U.S.C. 1624 Cooperation with Government and State agencies, private research organizations, etc.; rules and regulations. 7 U.S.C. 2279g Marketing services; cooperative agreements. Grant Programs. 7 U.S.C. 1627c Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP). 7 U.S.C. 1621 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 5 minutes per entry. Respondents: Local food businesses listing their information on USDA National Local Food Directories. Estimated Number of Potential Respondents: 15,000. Estimated Total Potential Annual Responses: 500. Maximum Estimated Total Annual Burden on All Respondents: 1,250 hours. Comments are invited on: (1) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. All written comments should be identified with the docket number AMS-TM-26-1618. It is our intention to have all comments, whether submitted by mail or internet, available for viewing on the Regulations.gov ( www.regulations.gov) website. AMS is committed to complying with the E-Government Act of 2002 to promote the use of the internet and other information technologies, to provide increased opportunities for citizen access to Government information and services, and for other purposes. All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public record.