California Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program

The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) is a federal grant program for reimbursement and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) oversees the project. For California, the program is supervised by the California Department of Education (CDE) Nutrition Services Division (NSD).

A grant, which lasts for a year, is provided to elementary schools shortlisted by the CDE NSD to carry out the program. This program is supplementary to the School Breakfast Program (SBP) and the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and provides fresh fruit and vegetable snacks free of charge in addition to nutrition educations to the students. This program also insists that schools collaborate with relevant organizations for assistance and support in executing the program.

How FFVP works

The program is implemented according to the California FFVP Guidelines by the CDE NSD after it has received funding from the USDA. Schools are selected based on their percentage of free and reduced-price enrollment and preference is given to those with higher percentages. The School Food Authorities (SFA) are supposed to apply for their respective elementary schools. For the entire duration of the school year, a grant of $50-$75 is provided per student. These funds are meant to provide fruits and vegetables to children in addition to their normal lunches.

As mentioned above, only SFAs can apply for the grant on behalf of their elementary schools. An SFA administers elementary schools and must be authorized by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service to carry out the program. They must also be legally permitted to administer the program.

The requirements to become an SFA are listed below:

• School districts and county offices of education for their elementary school locations
• Charter elementary schools that are directly funded
• For private schools: If the free and reduced-price meals eligibility applies to more than 50% of the students and if they have opted for the NSLP
• For residential childcare institutions: If they are taking part in the NSLP as well as running an elementary school during the daytime

The requirements to receive an FFVP grant are listed below:

Must be an elementary school, that is a school that consists of one or more grades kindergarten to fourth; it must not consist of a grade higher than eight.

A school that contains one or more grades fifth to sixth participants of NSLP.

50% or more of the students must be eligible for free and reduced-price meals

A detailed plan to implement the program must be provided including snack service time and frequency, organizations for collaboration, and nutrition education.

Documents must be provided authorizing that the school food service manager, principal, and district superintendent are on board

A grant application must be submitted before the deadline

The following requirements must be followed:

• Fresh fruits and vegetables must be provided to students besides NSLP and SBP meals
• The snack should be provided at least three times a week
• Nutrition education must be provided a minimum of one time a week
• Strictly adhere to the food safety requirements as well as the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point guidance
• It should be communicated to all students that fresh fruits and vegetables are available at the school
• The FFVP should be implemented according to the USDA FFVP: Handbook for Schools

Reimbursement

SFAs administering the program must submit reimbursement claims every month to the NSD which will be processed after their authorization within 45 days. The cost of the fruits and vegetables as well as any operational costs incurred while carrying out the project will be reimbursed.

Application Request

Depending on the availability of funds, CDE uploads the online FFVP Grant Request for Applications (RFA) in the spring of every school year. The SFAs are required to submit a separate application for each elementary school.

Grant Application

After searching for FFVP on Search CDE Funding, you will be able to download the grant application package as well as the instructions. FFVP RFA links are also available on the CDE Rates, Eligibility Scales, and Funding web page.

General Assurances and Certifications

General Assurances and Certifications must be available in case of audits, compliance reviews, and complaint investigations.

Application Information:

SFAs are required to provide the following:

Name

Address

Child Nutrition Information and Payment System (CNIPS) identification number

Vendor number

County number

The school’s identification information must also be provided which includes:

Name

Address

County District School (CDS) code

CNIPS site number

Vendor number or charter number

Grade levels

Implementation Plan

This plan must include:

People responsible for preparation, distribution, and service of the snacks

The location where the snacks will be provided

How frequently the snacks will be provided per week

Timings of the snack provision

The method by which the snacks will be distributed

The method, timings, frequency, and curriculum of the nutrition education

Partnerships and organizations that will assist the school in implementation including distribution, promotion, acquisition, nutrition education

Contact Information

800-952-5609
FFVP@cde.ca.gov

For submitting monthly claims or equipment justification forms:

FFVPClaim@cde.ca.gov.

For queries about Child Nutrition Information and Payment System (CNIPS) or technical difficulties

800-952-5609
CNIPS@cde.ca.gov.