Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program

 

To assist States, through cash grants, in providing free fresh fruits and vegetables to elementary schools with high percentages of children who receive free or reduced price meals through the National School Lunch Program.

General information about this opportunity
Last Known Status
Active
Program Number
10.582
Federal Agency/Office
Food and Nutrition Service, Department of Agriculture
Type(s) of Assistance Offered
B - Project Grants
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2016 The Pilot evaluation outcomes will be available in Fall 2016. No current data available.
Fiscal Year 2017 On June 16, 2017, FNS released a revised allocation for the remainder of FY17, which is available on the FNS Web site at https://www.fns.usda.gov/ffvp-revised-fy-2017-funding-allocation-and-fy-2018-funding-allocation.
Fiscal Year 2021 On August 18, 2020, FNS released the funding allocation distribution for FY21, which is available on the FNS Web site at https://www.fns.usda.gov/ffvp/allocation-funds-fy-2021.
Fiscal Year 2022 On June 1, 2021, FNS released the funding allocation distribution for FY22, which is available on the FNS Web site at https://www.fns.usda.gov/cn/sp-14-2021.
Fiscal Year 2023 On June 23, 2022, FNS released the funding allocation distribution for FY23, which is available on the FNS Web site at https://www.fns.usda.gov/ffvp/allocation-funds-fy-2023.
Fiscal Year 2024 On May 31, 2023, FNS released the funding allocation distribution for FY24, which is available on the FNS Web site at https://www.fns.usda.gov/ffvp/allocation-funds-fiscal-year-2024
Authorization
Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, as amended, Section 19, 42 U.S.C. 1769
Who is eligible to apply/benefit from this assistance?
Applicant Eligibility
In order to be eligible to participate in the FFVP, the school must be a low-income public or nonprofit private elementary school, and must participate in the National School Lunch Program.
Beneficiary Eligibility
All elementary school children enrolled in schools participating in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program receive free fresh fruits and vegetables outside of the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs.
Credentials/Documentation
The applicant organization must be currently participating in the National School Lunch Program. The applicant must be an elementary school as defined by section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 USC 7801). Costs will be determined in accordance with USDA Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations.
What is the process for applying and being award this assistance?
Pre-Application Procedure
Preapplication coordination is required. The school-level application prototype form furnished by FNS may be modified by the State agency. An applicant should consult the State office or official designated as the single point of contact in the State for the National School Lunch Program for more information on the process FNS requires to be followed for participation in FFVP.
Application Procedure
2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Low income, public or private nonprofit elementary schools apply to the State agency, or may be selected for participation by the State agency.
Award Procedure
The elementary schools with the highest percentages of children eligible for free and reduced price meals will be selected. The State agency then enters into an agreement with the school food authority for its participation in the program. The agreement stipulates that schools will operate the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program according to federal requirements for the program.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines
Approval/Disapproval Decision Time
Agreements become effective upon approval by the State agency.
Appeals
Not applicable.
Renewals
Schools may be renewed annually through a re-application process (or modified application process) depending on their free and reduced price meal eligibility percent ranking each year.
How are proposals selected?
Applicant schools must be currently participating in the National School Lunch Program. They must agree to serve fresh fruits and vegetables free to all enrolled children, and to publicize fresh fruit and vegetable availability within the school. They must have support for participation in the program signed by the school food manager, the school principal, and the district superintendent, or equivalent positions. States must target the elementary schools with the highest percentages of children eligible for free and reduced price meals.
How may assistance be used?
Under Section 19 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, 42. U.S.C. 1769, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program funding is available to State agencies through an annual transfer of the Agricultural Marketing Service's Section 32 funds. Selected low-income, public and nonprofit private elementary schools are reimbursed for produce served to school children outside of the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program food service periods. All participating schools must agree to serve fresh fruits and vegetables free to all enrolled children, and to publicize fresh fruit and vegetable availability within the school.
What are the requirements after being awarded this opportunity?
Reporting
Not applicable.
Auditing
Audits may be conducted less frequently under conditions specified in A-133. The FFVP is subject to audits.
Records
Schools must maintain full and accurate records of the FFVP's expenditures, similar to the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. Such records must be retained for a period of 3 years after the end of the fiscal year to which they pertain, except that if audit findings have not been resolved, the records shall be retained beyond the 3-year period as long as required for the resolution of audit findings.
Other Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
The program is permanent and amended as necessary described by law. Schools/SFAs have one fiscal year in which to spend the funds awarded. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: Letter.
Who do I contact about this opportunity?
Regional or Local Office
See the Food and Nutrition Service Regional Offices listed at https://www.fns.usda.gov/fns-regional-offices.
Headquarters Office
Cynthia Long
1320 Braddock Place
Alexandria, VA 22314 US
CNDInternet@fns.usda.gov
Phone: 703-305-2590
Website Address
http://www.fns.usda.gov
Financial Information
Account Identification
12-3539-0-1-605
Obligations
(Project Grants) FY 22$187,000,000.00; FY 23 est $238,000,000.00; FY 24 est $252,600,000.00; FY 21$183,000,000.00; FY 20$182,000,000.00; FY 19$176,000,000.00; FY 18$297,000,000.00; FY 17$184,213,000.00; FY 16$166,565,000.00; - A steady source of funding is provided through an annual transfer from the Agricultural Marketing Service.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
FFVP funds are allocated at a level of $50 to $75 per student per school year. Funding is allocated among States based on a funding formula, which is adjusted every July 1 to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index. The minimum grant to each of the 50 States and the District of Columbia will equal one percent of the funds made available to carry out this program for the school year. Additional funding will be allocated to all States, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, on the basis of population.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
An online toolkit is available at http://www.fns.usda.gov/FFVP. A handbook is also available at http://www.fns.usda.gov/ffvp/fns-resources. Policies are available at https://www.fns.usda.gov/ffvp/ffvp-policy.
Examples of Funded Projects
Not applicable.

 


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