Revised 8_1 Appendix D3.3 Suggested Text for Company Authorization of Stores

Appendix D3.3: Suggested Text/Template for Company Authorization of Stores OMB Control Number 0584-XXXX

Expires Month/Day/Year

Dear [Store Manager]:

I am writing to let you know that [Name of Company] has been asked by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to participate in an important study about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP is one of the largest taxpayer-funded benefit programs, and redemptions account for about 10 percent of all grocery sales in the United States. FNS is responsible for the integrity of the SNAP program and is conducting this study to learn about the kinds of systems we use to prevent fraud and theft and to understand how our systems contribute to a much lower rate of SNAP fraud than that found in smaller stores. [Name of Company] has agreed to participate in this study as one of the 35 largest SNAP retail chains selected nationwide.

You are authorized to complete the online Large SNAP Store survey being conducted by the Florida Survey Research Center at the University of Florida for this study.

You may have already received a letter from Kathryn Law, Director of the USDA FNS SNAP Research and Analysis Division, Andrea Gold, Director of SNAP Retailer Policy and Management Division, and Neva Terry, Director of SNAP Retail Operations Division regarding this survey. You will be receiving instructions from the Florida Survey Research Center at the University of Florida on how to access and complete the survey. The survey asks about your store’s experiences with SNAP and the kinds of systems and practices that are used in your store to prevent fraud and theft.

We would appreciate it if you would complete the survey within the next two weeks. It will take about 45 minutes to review information and another 45 minutes to complete the survey. If you have any questions about this survey, contact Dr. Michael Scicchitano at the University of Florida, toll-free, at (866) 392-3475 or at [email protected].

[Name of Company] is committed to supporting USDA/FNS in its efforts to reduce fraud and theft in the SNAP program, so that benefits are provided only to those who are eligible and need the benefit.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Sincerely,

[Company Representative Name and signature file]

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 4 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information.  An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.  Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Services, Office of Policy Support, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 1014, Alexandria, VA 22302