OVERVIEW

The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) exposes children to a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables in the hope that they will develop healthy eating habits. Elementary schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and have greater than 50% eligible free and reduced lunch students are eligible to apply yearly for this program. Fresh fruits and vegetables are served during the school day in a variety of settings on a daily basis. Schools participating in FFVP must serve at least twice per week. FFVP grant funds cannot be utilized as part of the National School Breakfast or National School Lunch Program. Schools will receive funding of $50-75 per student based on total enrollment of schools participating in the program.

Granite School District has participated in FFVP since 2018 and has received over $850,000 dollars to provide Fresh Fruits and Vegetables to students!

PROGRAM GOALS

The goal of the FFVP is to introduce children to fresh fruits and vegetables, to include new and different varieties, and to increase overall acceptance and consumption of fresh, unprocessed produce among children. The FFVP also encourages healthier school environments by promoting nutrition education.

GRANT PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Schools have the flexibility to develop their own implementation plan and choose the type of produce, number of days a week, and times during the day to provide the free fresh fruit or vegetable snacks to their students. Schools are also encouraged to develop partnerships to help implement the program, such as with local universities, extension services, farmers markets, and local growers and grocers.

Schools are required to adhere to the following:

• Make free fresh fruits and vegetables available during the school day as a snack to all enrolled children outside of NSLP and SBP operation

• Offer the FFVP snack a minimum of two times per week

• Offer nutrition education at least one time per week as part of the FFVP

• Follow all food safety requirements and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point guidance

• Widely publicize the availability of fresh fruit and vegetable snacks within the school

• Implement the FFVP in accordance with the most recent guidelines by the USDA issued at USDA FFVP Handbook for Schools

In addition, the SFA must remain in good standing in the operation of all other federal CNPs. Good standing means an SFA is not documented as being seriously deficient in managing any USDA CNP. The SFA cannot have outstanding administrative or program findings that document violations of the requirements of any CNP (7 CFR, sections 211.10[c], 226.6[c][3][ii], 225.11[c], and 210.24; and the USDA FFVP Handbook for Schools, December 2010, pages 4–5).

GRANT REIMBURSEMENT

The FFVP is a reimbursement grant; therefore, Granite School District Nutrition Services submits monthly claims for reimbursement to the Utah State Board of Education Child Nutrition Program.