FRESH FRUIT & VEGETABLE PROGRAM
(FFVP)
UPDATE!!!!!
The purpose of the program is to increase fresh fruit and vegetable consumption in elementary schools. The level of funds provided to any one school depends on the demographics of schools that are selected to participate in the program. Federal guidelines allow funding based on a range of $50 to $75.
Selection Criteria
Schools will be selected by the State agency, were based on guidance in this memorandum and oversight by USDA. Section 19 of the National School Lunch Acts states the selection criteria for schools to participate in this program:
- To the maximum extent practicable, the majority of schools selected are those in which 50% or more of students are eligible for free or reduced price meals;
- Participate in the National School lunch Program;
- Only elementary schools may participate which eliminates high school applications;
- Highest priority is given to schools with the highest per cent of low income students;
- School that are applying must provide a certification of support signed by the school food manager, the school principal and the district superintendent or equivalent positions as determined by the school. Those schools that are reorganizing into a new RSU or ASO structure must include the Acknowledgement of Future RSU Status form signed by the new RSU/ASO superintendent or School Board member if operational by July 1, 2009.
Additionally, Maine schools with more than 3 late or incomplete reports will not be chosen to participate in the FFVP in the 2010 school year. The major reason for incomplete reports is the lack of financial information.
If you have any questions, please contact Gail Lombardi at 624-6876 or gail.lombardi@Maine.gov. We hope that you will consider taking part in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program as another way to help your students develop lifelong healthful eating habits.
Other Useful Information
USDA Guidance Handbook FFVP
School Year 2010
Thank you to all the schools who submitted Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program applications. The evaluation panel, using the weighted criteria outlined in the RFP, has completed its review of the proposals received. The schools receiving the panel’s highest scores and the awards are:
| Name |
School |
| Auburn |
Walton School |
| Auburn |
Washburn School |
| Auburn |
Park Ave School |
| Auburn |
Sherwood Heights Elementary Sch |
| Augusta |
Sylvio J Gilbert School |
| Augusta |
Farrington School |
| Augusta |
Lincoln School Augusta |
| Baileyville Union 107 |
Woodland Elementary School |
| Calais Union 106 |
Calais Elementary School |
| Calais Union 106 |
Calais Middle School |
| Caswell |
Dawn F Barnes Elem Sch |
| Connor Eut |
Connor Consolidated School |
| Lewiston |
Gov James B Longley Elem Sch |
| Lewiston |
Montello School |
| Machiasport School |
Fort O'Brien |
| New Sweden Union 122 |
New Sweden Consolidated School |
| Pembroke Union 104 |
Pembroke Elementary School |
| Perry Union 104 |
Perry Elementary School |
| Portland |
East End Community School |
| Portland |
Howard C Reiche Community Sch |
| Portland |
Riverton School |
| Portland |
Presumpscot School |
| Princeton Union 107 |
Princeton Elementary School |
| Robbinston Union 106 |
Robbinston Grade School |
| RSU 01 |
Dike Newell School |
| RSU 10 (SAD 43) |
Mountain Valley Middle School |
| RSU 12 (Wiscasset) |
Wiscasset Primary School |
| RSU 19 (Sad 48) |
St Albans Consolidated |
| RSU 19 (Sad 48) |
Corinna Elementary School |
| RSU 19 (Sad 48) |
Palmyra Consolidated School |
| RSU 19 (SAD48) |
Hartland Consolidated School |
| RSU 20 (Sad 34) |
Kermit S Nickerson School |
| RSU 20 (Sad 34) |
East Belfast School |
| RSU 20 (Sad 56) |
Frankfort Elementary School |
| RSU 24 (Peninsula Csd) |
Peninsula School (Winter Harbor) |
| RSU 24 (Schoodic Csd) |
Mountian View (Csd Member Town) |
| Sad 03 |
Unity Elementary School |
| Sad 03 |
Mt View Elementary School |
| Sad 03 |
Walker Memorial School |
| Sad 03 |
Morse Memorial School |
| Sad 03 |
Monroe Elementary School |
| Sad 03 |
Mt View Jr High/Middle School |
| Sad 03 |
Troy Central School |
| Sad 04 |
Carroll L Mckusick School |
| Sad 04 |
Guilford Primary School |
| Sad 04 |
Piscataquis Community Middle |
| Sad 06 |
H B Emery Jr Memorial Sch |
| Sad 09 |
Academy Hill School |
| Sad 09 |
Cape Cod Hill School |
| Sad 11 |
River View Community School |
| Sad 11 |
Teresa C Hamlin Elem Sch |
| Sad 14 |
East Grand School |
| Sad 19 |
Lubec Consolidated School |
| Sad 20 |
Fort Fairfield Elementary Sch |
| Sad 24 |
Van Buren District Elementary School |
| Sad 25 |
Katahdin Elem |
| Sad 29 |
Wellington School |
| Sad 29 |
Houlton Elementary School |
| Sad 29 |
Houlton Southside School |
| Sad 40 |
Miller Grade School |
| Sad 40 |
Prescott Memorial School |
| Sad 40 |
Warren Community School |
| Sad 40 |
Medomak Middle School |
| Sad 40 |
Union Elementary School |
| Sad 44 |
Andover Elementary School |
| Sad 50 |
Lura Libby School |
| Sad 55 |
Fred W Morrill School |
| Sad 55 |
South Hiram Elementary Sch |
| Sad 59 |
Starks Elementary School |
| Sad 59 |
Athens Elementary School |
| Sad 59 |
Madison Elementary School |
| Sad 59 |
Madison Junior High School |
| Sedgwick Union 076 |
Sedgwick Elementary School |
| So. Aroostook Csd |
So Aroostook Csd School |
| Waterville |
George J Mitchell School |
| Waterville |
Albert S Hall School |
| Westbrook |
Oxford-Cumberland Canal Sch |
Congratulations to all.
Documentation needed to participate in the Fresh Fruit Vegetable Program (FFVP) as referenced in the
FFVP Addendum Agreement Example
FFVP Monthly Reimbursement Form (example only)
Reporting Income and expenses
the chart of accoutns icnome acct # is 4559 and expenses are a la carte accounts.
QUESTIONS
How much is the FFVP grant for.
The total 2010 school year grant is 874,482.27 for Maine to disburse to 50 schools. The amount a school will receives is based on School enrollment as stated on the application.
USDA Question and Answers
United States
Department of
Agriculture
Food and
Nutrition
Service
3101 Park
Center Drive
Alexandria, VA
22302-1500
|
MEMO CODE: SP 35-2008
DATE: August 8, 2008
SUBJECT: Frequently Asked Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Questions
TO: Regional Directors
Special Nutrition Programs
All Regions
State Directors
Special Nutrition Programs
All States
The new FFVP began operations under the authority and provisions set forth in The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, (P.L. 110-234), the Farm Bill on July 1, 2008. The Farm Bill amended the National School Lunch Act to add a new section 19, the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP). The purpose of this memorandum is to provide answers to some of the frequently asked questions gleaned from our conference calls which address key program operation issues.
Q. What are the FFVP hours of operation?
A. The program is available only during the school day, not before or after regular school hours.
Q. Can the fresh fruits and vegetables be served at the same time as the breakfast or lunch program but in a separate part of the cafeteria?
A. No. The FFVP can not be provided at the same time as the service of the breakfast or lunch program.
Q. How many times during the school week must fresh fruits and vegetables be offered?
A. We expect schools to offer fresh fruits and vegetables as many times as possible during the school week.
Q. Must fresh fruits and vegetables be offered the entire school year or can schools choose to offer the program a limited number of months.
A. We expect that the Program be offered through the entire school year and not limited to certain months. One goal of the program is to effect a change in eating habits and a continual exposure to fresh fruits and vegetables is necessary/beneficial in making this change
Q. Can RCCI’s participate in the FFVP?
A. RCCI’s can participate provided they operate an elementary school program during the day, and participate in the NSLP.
Page 2
Frequently Asked Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Questions
Q. Can FFVP funds be used to purchase Nutrition Education Materials?
A. No, we suggest that schools find other methods to fund the cost of nutrition education materials.
Q. Can schools use FFVP funds for promotional costs?
A. No, costs associated with promotional activities can not be funded by the FFVP.
Q. Can we use trail mix, nuts or dried fruit?
A. No. Only fresh fruit and vegetables can be purchased.
Q. Can fruit smoothies, veggie pizzas and fruit pizzas be provided under the FFVP?
A. No.
Q. Are dips allowed?
A. Dips may not be used for fruits. However, in the interest of promoting the consumption of vegetables, the judicious use of low fat and non-fat dips for vegetables in a “serving size” quantity is allowed.
Q. Can cooked vegetables be provided and reimbursed in the FFVP?
A. Schools may only cook fresh vegetables (These vegetables should be ones not normally eaten raw) as part of a nutrition education lesson not more than once a week. The vegetables must be fresh; not frozen, canned or dried. Schools may not claim any additional ingredients that are part of the cooked fresh vegetable dish.
As an example, a class may study nutrition, and part of the lesson may be to learn about specific vegetables and their nutritional value.
Q. Do schools have to submit all supporting documentation with their claim for reimbursement?
A. No, however they must maintain this information for review.
Q. Are schools required to have separate purchase orders/invoices for the FFVP?
A. No provided they can demonstrate on the orders which purchases pertain to the FFVP.
Q. What are the FFVP funds obligation timeframe's on a fiscal year or school year basis?
A. For Schools:
July FFVP funds: must be obligated by September 30 of that year.
October FFVP funds: must be obligated by the following June 30.
Page 3
Frequently Asked Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Questions
For States:
July FFVP funds-States that choose to receive a proportional share for State administrative expenses must obligate these funds by September 30 of that year. The normal fiscal year closeout timeframe's apply with funds expensed by December 30.
October FFVP funds-The October obligation timeframe differs for FFVP State administrative funds than those for schools in that the State’s funds may be
obligated until September 30. The normal fiscal year closeout timeframe's apply with funds expensed by December 30.
As States are aware, they must determine their total FFVP administrative funds allowed under the formula before funds are allocated to schools. We recommend that the State agency take their portion for State administrative expenses from the October allocation in order to allow schools sufficient funds to start-up the program.
Q. When will the new FFVP guidance manual be available?
A. We are in the process of drafting new guidance and will notify all State and Regional Offices as soon as the new manual is available on our web site. We hope to have the manual available by early September, 2008. The revised manual will incorporate the FAQ's contained in this memorandum and the recently issued implementation memorandums, SP-31 dated July 11, 2008 and SP-33 dated July 31, 2008. The online manual will serve as the resource for the program and will be managed electronically to provide updates as needed.
The FFVP guidance manual that was used for prior program operations is no longer a reflection of current program operations under the authority and provisions of the new section 19 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. Therefore, we ask that the States or schools not use this “old” version. We have removed the FFVP Guidance Manual from the FNS web site because it is no longer accurate.
/s/ Robert Eadie for/Cynthia Long
CYNTHIA LONG
Director
Child Nutrition Division
Other Useful Information
USDA Guidance Handbook FFVP
If you have any questions, please contact Gail Lombardi at 624-6876 or gail.lombardi@maine.gov.
