Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP)

The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) is a grant opportunity for schools to provide children with fresh fruits and vegetables at no cost during the school day. The goal of the program is to promote the consumption of fruits and vegetables among school-aged children, educate students about the benefits of fruits and vegetables, and expose them to new varieties.

Teaching children healthful eating habits may help promote a healthy school environment, improve student health, and help combat childhood obesity. The FFVP introduces school children to a variety of produce that they otherwise might not have had the opportunity to sample. It also encourages schools to develop partnerships at the state and local level for support in implementing and operating the program.

Program Requirements 

• FFVP must be served during the school day and may not occur during any other child nutrition program (i.e., cannot be served at the same time as the National School Lunch, School Breakfast, or Afterschool Snack Program).
• FFVP can be served anywhere on the school campus. Best practice is to serve FFVP where children can easily consume the fruits and vegetables. Factors to consider include grade level, maturity of students, time available to eat, clean-up required and staffing available.
  • If FFVP is served in the afternoon, ensure there is a process in place for picking up leftovers, documentation, and cleanup.
• There are no minimum serving sizes for the FFVP. Best practice is to adjust serving sizes based on the age-grade group of the students served.
• FFVP must always be monitored. 

How to Apply

Elementary schools are selected for the FFVP annually through the online application process. Priority is given to schools with the highest free and reduced enrollment. Interested schools must submit a completed application by the deadlines below.

Determine Eligibility

To be eligible you must:

1. Be an elementary school
2. Begin FFVP operations at the start of the school year
3. Participate in the National School Lunch and/or School Breakfast Program.
4. Have 50%, or more, students who are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. Preference will be given to those schools with the highest eligibility percentage. Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) elementary schools may qualify for FFVP by using the school's individual Identified Student Percentage (ISP) multiplied by 1.6. A school's individual ISP must be at least 31.25% to qualify for FFVP.

Application Instructions

Steps to Apply:

• Download and follow the Application Instructions above
• Market and promote the FFVP to eligible elementary schools
• Gain support and buy-in from teachers, staff and principals and/or superintendents
• Establish an implementation plan that includes service methods and frequency, integration of nutrition education, FFVP marketing and promotion and overall program administration and monitoring

Application Deadlines

FFVP application is due Friday, June 30th.

How to Claim

Program Resources & Training

• Budget Tracker Template
• Allowable & Unallowable Items
• FFVP Handbook
• On-Site Monitoring Form
• USDA Website