Overview

Program Description: The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) provides children in participating elementary schools with a variety of free fresh fruits and vegetables. This is a competitive grant that must be applied for annually. The level of funds provided to any one school depends on the school's enrollment and the available funding provided by the USDA.

Purpose: The purpose of the program is to expand and increase the variety and amount of fruits and vegetables children experience and consume. Combined with nutrition education and a reinforcement of healthful eating habits, the program emphasizes the long-term goals of positively influencing children's life-long eating habits and combating childhood obesity.

Who is Eligible to Apply: Public and non-profit private elementary schools that have 50% or greater of their students receiving free and/or reduced price meals. Schools with the highest percentage of students certified for free and reduced price meals will be selected over schools with lower percentages of free and/or reduced price meals.

2012-2013 School Year

• Congratulations to all 2012-2013 School Year Program Participants
• USDA Announces Allocation of Funds for School Year 2012-2013

Program Administration

• USDA FFVP Toolkit - Provides a variety of resources from state agencies to help you build a successful FFVP
• USDA FFVP Handbook
• USDA Guidance Memos - look here for updates from the USDA on program administration
  • Procurement Geographic Preference Q and As (2/01/11)
  • Geographic Preference Rule
  • Teacher Modeling in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP)
• Procurement Resources
  • Farm to School
  • Department of Defense

 Produce Safety

• USDA/Team Nutrition Fruit and Vegetable Food Safety
• NFSMI Best Practices for Handling Fresh Produce