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| 10.582 FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PROGRAM |
| (FFVP) |
| FEDERAL AGENCY |
| FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE |
| AUTHORIZATION |
| National School Lunch Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 1769. |
| OBJECTIVES |
| To assist States, through cash grants, in providing free fresh fruits and vegetables to school children in designated participating schools beginning in school year 2004/2005. |
| TYPES OF ASSISTANCE |
| Project Grants. |
| USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS |
| Under Section 18(g) of the National School Lunch Act, Federally appropriated Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program funds are available to a specified number of State agencies: 25 schools in each of eight designated states (Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Washington); and 25 schools among three Indian Tribal Organizations in 3 designated states (Arizona, South Dakota, and New Mexico). Participating public and nonprofit private schools of high school grade or under are reimbursed free to school children outside of the lunch or breakfast 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. Funds are allocated to each State based on the enrollment of schools selected for participation. For Fiscal Years 2005 through 2009, $9 million is available for allocation to States each year. (Note: On November 10, 2005, the President signed Public Law 109-97 expanding the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) to give free fresh fruits and vegetables to children in 25 schools participating in the National School Lunch Program in Utah, Wisconsin, New Mexico, Texas, Connecticut, and Idaho. This law appropriates $6 million to carry out the provisions mandated in Section 120 of the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act (Public Law 108-265)). |
| Applicant Eligibility |
| State agencies specified in Section 18(g) of the National School Lunch Act or selected by the Secretary of Agriculture in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 18(g), including those State agencies representing Indian Tribal Organizations; and public and nonprofit private schools of high school grade and under participating in the National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program and selected by their State agencies to participate in the FFVP. In selecting schools, as required by Section 18(g), to the maximum extent practical States must ensure that the majority of schools have 50 percent or more students eligible for free or reduced price meals and give priority to schools that have partnerships with non-Federal resources. This criterion does not apply to schools previously participating in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Pilot Program prior to May 1, 2004. |
| Beneficiary Eligibility |
| All children enrolled in schools participating in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. |
| Credentials/Documentation |
| Applicant organizations must be currently participating in the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program. Applicant organizations must furnish evidence of nonprofit status. Costs will be determined in accordance with USDA Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations (7 CFR Part 3015 or 3016 and 3019). |
| Preapplication Coordination |
| The school-level application prototype form was furnished by FNS and/or modified by the State agency. An applicant should consult the State office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program for more information on the process the State requires to be followed for the FFVP. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. |
| Application Procedure |
| Public or private nonprofit schools in the designated States make application to the State Educational Agency. Appropriate forms may be obtained from this agency. |
| Award Procedure |
| The State agency reviews the written application of a school based on criteria described in Section 18(g) of the National School Lunch Act and other State agency selection criteria. The State agency selects a total of 25 schools. The State agency then enters into an agreement with the selected schools for their participation in the program. |
| Deadlines |
| Federal/State Agreements must be signed. |
| Range of Approval/Disapproval Time |
| Agreements become effective upon approval by the State Education Agency. |
| Appeals |
| None. The State agency is responsible for selecting schools based on applicable criteria. |
| Renewals |
| Annual; amended as necessary. |
| Formula and Matching Requirements |
| None. |
| Length and Time Phasing of Assistance |
| For the period covered by the Grant Agreement. |
| Reports |
| State agencies must ensure that each school food authority with participating schools maintains monthly data, and submits that data quarterly. States forward the monthly data collected from schools to FNS on a quarterly basis. States must submit final fiscal year grant close out reports to FNS within 120 days after the end of the grant period. |
| Audits |
| In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133, "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-profit Organizations," State and local governments, and nonprofit organizations that expended $500,000 or more under Federal awards within any fiscal year shall have either a single audit or (in certain cases) a program specific audit made for that year. 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. Such records shall 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. |
| Account Identification |
| 12-3539-0-1-605. |
| Obligations |
| (Grants) FY 07 $9,036,050; FY 08 est $12,410,000; and FY 09 est not reported. |
| Range and Average of Financial Assistance |
| None. |
| PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS |
| None. |
| REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE |
| None. |
| Regional or Local Office |
| None. |
| Headquarters Office |
| Director, Child Nutrition Division, Food and Nutrition Service, Department of Agriculture, Alexandria, VA 22302. Telephone: (703) 305-2590. Contact: Stanley C. Garnett, Director and Lael Lubing, Director, Grants Management Division, Special Nutrition Programs, Department of Agriculture, Alexandria, VA 22302. Telephone: (703) 305-2161. |
| Web Site Address |
| Child Nutrition Division: www.fns.usda.gov/cnd |
| RELATED PROGRAMS |
| 10.555, National School Lunch Program; 10.553, School Breakfast Program; 10.857, State Bulk Fuel Revolving Fund Grants. |
| EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS |
| None. |
| CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS |
| None. |
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General Services Administration Office of Chief Acquisition Officer Regulatory and Federal Assistance Division (VIR) |
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