F
LORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
�
S
TATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Dr. Eric J. Smith
Commissioner of Education
T. WILLARD FAIR,
Chairman
Members
DR. AKSHAY DESAI
MARK KAPLAN
ROBERTO MARTÍNEZ
JOHN R. PADGET
KATHLEEN SHANAHAN
SUSAN STORY
CONTACT PERSON:
NAME: Cathy Reed
PHONE: 850-245-5044
M E M O R A N D U M
DATE:
?
February 16, 2011
TO:
?
District School Superintendents
FROM:
?
Linda Champion
SUBJECT:
?
2011-2012 Fresh Fruit and Vegetable
Program Grant Application and Selection
Process
The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Farm Bill) authorizes funds for the Fresh Fruit
and Vegetable Program (FFVP) for all states. Participating schools must offer fresh fruits and
vegetables as a snack to students during the school day. FFVP food items
cannot be served at
breakfast, at
lunch, or in an afterschool program. Because the FFVP targets low
-income
students, schools will be selected based on the percentage of students who are eligible for free
and reduced
-price
meals. Even though the school selection process for the 201
1-12
FFVP is not
competitive, schools must submit an application to be considered for participation. FFVP
funding is available from July 1, 2011, through June 30, 2012. The level of funding provided to
any one school will
be $50
per student per
year.
The FFVP application package and the FFVP
handbook are available
at:
http://www.fldoe.org/FNM/ffvp/
.
To be considered for this program, the completed application consisting of the School Profile,
School Proposal, and Certification Form (with all signatures) must be received
in this office by
April 1, 2011. The FFVP school team should coordinate with the district food service staff to
successfully comp
lete the application for submission by the deadline. The completed application
should be mailed to:
LINDA CHAMPION
?
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, F
INANCE AND OPERATIONS
?
325 W. GAINES STREET • S
UITE 1214
• T
ALLAHASSEE,
FL 32399-0400
•
(850) 245-
0406•
Fax (850)
245-9378
www.fldoe.org
District School Superintendents
February 16, 2011
Page 2
Katie Rainka
Florida Department of Education
325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1024
Talla
hassee, Florida 32399-0400
Selection Criteria
Schools will be selected from those applications submitted to the state agency based on guidance
in this letter and oversight by the United States Department of Agriculture. Section 19 of the
National School Lunch Act requires the
following
selection criteria for
participating
schools:
•
?
Elementary schools
must operate the National School Lunch Program with 50 percent or
more students who are eligible for free or reduced
-price meals. The highest priority will
be given to schools with the highest percentages of low
-income students to the maximum
extent possible. Outreach will be conducted to schools with the highest free and reduced
price meal eligibility before any schools are selected.
Every child in the se
lected school
is eligible to participate.
•
?
Schools must submit a plan for implementation of the program to provide a team
approach within the school and district. The plan should integrate the FFVP with other
efforts to promote sound health and nutrition, reduce overweight and obesity, and
encourage physical activity.
•
?
Additionally, schools must complete a certification of support with original signatures of
the school food service director, food service manager, school principal, and district
superintendent or equivalent positions as determined by the school.
Use of Funds
Funds are to be used primarily to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables to
serve for no
charge to
students. A small percentage of funds may be used for operating and admi
nistrative costs such
as ready
-to-use produce, preparation, and distribution of fruits and vegetables. The proposal
narrative should specify the types of anticipated equipment expenditures a school might incur. A
budget will be requested when sites have been selected and allocations have been determined.
Claims for reimbursement will be processed through the school’s child nutrition program.
Obligations of Participating Schools
Participating schools will provide information about participation, purchases, and program
costs
to the state agency. Staff from selected schools and school districts will be required to attend
training scheduled the afternoon of April 27,
2011, or the morning of April 28, 2011, in Orlando,
Florida. Details regarding this training will be pro
vided to selected schools at a later date. If any
of your schools are selected to participate, an addendum to your National School Lunch Program
permanent agreement will be required.
How to Apply
Complete the FFVP application package located at
http://www.fldoe.org/FNM/ffvp/
. Completed
application packages must be received in this office by April 1, 2011.
