3.
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?
No. The FFVP can not be provided at the same time as the service of the breakfast or lunch program.
4.
How many times during the school week must fresh fruits and vegetables be offered?
We expect schools to offer fresh fruits and vegetables at least twice per week.
5. Must fresh fruits and vegetables be offered the entire school year or can schools choose to offer the program a limited number of months?
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.
6.
Can RCCI’s participate in the FFVP?
RCCI's can participate provided they operate an elementary school program during the day, and participate in the NSLP.
7. Can FFVP funds be used to purchase Nutrition Education Materials?
No. We suggest that schools find other methods to fund the cost of nutrition education materials.
8. Can schools use FFVP funds for promotional costs?
No. Costs associated with promotional activities can not be funded by the FFVP.
9. Can we use trail mix, nuts or dried fruit?
No. Only fresh fruit and vegetables can be purchased.
10. Can fruit smoothies, veggie pizzas and fruit pizzas be provided under the FFVP?
No.
11. Are dips allowed?
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.
12. Can cooked vegetables be provided and reimbursed in the FFVP?
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.
13. Do schools have to submit all supporting documentation with their claim for reimbursement?
No. However, they must maintain this information for review.
14. Are schools required to have separate purchase orders/invoices for the FFVP?
No, provided they can demonstrate on the orders which purchases pertain to the FFVP.
15. What are the FFVP funds obligation timeframes on a fiscal year or school year basis?
For Schools, July FFVP funds must be obligated by September 30 of that year and October FFVP funds must be obligated by the following June 30.
16. Can schools bid FFVP, NSLP and SBP purchases together?
Yes. However, schools must be able to demonstrate which items are purchased for the FFVP.
17. A school purchases equipment either with 100% FFVP funds or a percentage of funds, but the following year, the school no longer participates in the FFVP, what happens to the equipment?
It is the responsibility of the SFA or SA to direct the disposition of equipment for those schools that no longer participate in the Program in keeping with existing guidance and the regulation at 7 CFR 3016.32(c)(1), and (e)(1) and (2). In general, when the equipment is no longer needed for the original program or project, the equipment may be used in other activities currently or previously supported by a Federal agency. (Please refer to the regulation, Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments at 7 CFR 3016.32 for a detailed explanation.)
Any school requesting FFVP funds for equipment must provide justification for the equipment. The justification should include an explanation on why additional equipment is needed and why current equipment cannot suffice, the extent of the program, e.g. how many days a week the program is offered, and any other information that will support the request for additional equipment.
Schools requesting equipment that may be used in other programs must prorate the cost of the equipment among all programs that will use the equipment. Along with the equipment justification, schools must also indicate percent usage for the FFVP, and make sure to only claim that portion directly associated with FFVP operations.
18. May adults participate in the FFVP?
Teachers may participate under the following conditions.
- Only teachers who are directly responsible for serving the fruit or vegetable to their students in a classroom setting may partake of the fruit and/or vegetable.
- The FFVP is not available to the general teacher population and other adults in the school.
- Teachers choosing to participate with their students are strongly encouraged to include a nutrition education component to enhance their positive role modeling.
- No additional FFVP funds will be provided; schools must stay within their per student allocation.
19. How much operational labor cost can a school claim on the FFVP?
Operational labor cost is limited to 20% of each month’s claimed operational expenses.
20. How much administrative cost can a school claim on the FFVP?
Administrative Costs are limited to 10 percent of your school’s total FFVP grant allocation.
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