Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Training

School Year 2021

School Selection Criteria

To be selected for the FFVP:

❖ Be an elementary school or combination of grades preK-8

❖Priority given to the highest percentage of studentscertified for free and reduced-price benefits

❖Consideration given to late claims, fund usage and concerns with another child nutrition program

FFVP Awards 2021

• 186 schools were awarded

• Maine received $2,349,714.50 in funding to give to schools

• Allocated $50.50 per student x enrollment (ED 534 report- October 2019)

• Awarded all schools that applied and more!

– A link to awards list is on the FFVP webpage

NSLP or SFSP?

• Can serve FFVP if operating either program

• A Maine specific FFVP Q and A document has been created to answer questions related to this.

– Posted on COVID webpage under “Waivers, Guidance & FAQs”

FFVP Funding

Funding Structure

• FFVP funding aligns with the federal fiscal year

– October 1st through September 30th

• The SY 2021 allocations will begin on October 1, 2020.

• For the month of September you are using last year’s allocation

Important Notes about Funding

• September funds: leftover funds from June have been rolled into September

– This process is automatic each year in NEO

– Any remaining funds on 9/30 go to USDA

• October funds: SY 2021 funding will run from October 1, 2020- September 30, 2021.

– Budget accordingly to have funds available for September 2021.

FFVP in NEO

FFVP Usage Report

FFVP Addendums

• If you were awarded, make sure to upload to the annual participation packet

– Under “supplemental attachments”

• One per district and must be signed by the superintendent

• Found on the FFVP webpage under “Program Forms”

FFVP Options in SY 2021

How the FFVP Works

• Reimbursement similar to other programs

– Submit a FFVP school detail in NEO

• Flexibility to develop your own plan

• School decides when, where and how to implement the FFVP

FFVP Guidance

• Maine specific Q and A is available on our COVID webpage

• USDA Q and A memo- SP 23-2020

– Flexibilities are effective through June 30, 2021

• FFVP Claim Guidance- also on webpage

FFVP Waivers during COVID

• FFVP parent pick up waiver – When parent/guardian picks up meals they can

pick up FFVP too

• FFVP site eligibility waiver – Allows non-FFVP schools to distribute FFVP

• i.e. elementary school is participating in FFVP but central kitchen at high school is distributing meals

*Both waivers pending approval from USDA

*Will need to complete waiver form if using

Serving Options

• With USDA flexibilities and state waivers, schools have the following options for serving FFVP: – FFVP can be served outside of the regular school day

or with other Child Nutrition program meals (breakfast or lunch). This also means FFVP can be sent home.

– If doing meal pick up or delivery, the parent/guardian can pick up/receive FFVP alongside other meals

– If providing multiple days meals at one time, multiple servings of FFVP can be provided (also in bulk). This may be helpful for those operating a hybrid method.

How to Serve?

• Container sent to each classroom and have teacher distribute

– Students cannot self-serve

• Individually wrapped is not required and at the discretion of each district

• If FFVP served with other meals, it must be a separate offering (not part of the lunch F/V offering).

What to Serve?

• Fresh produce only

• Pre-packaged fruits and vegetables- reduces labor

• Pre-cut fruits and vegetables- easier for younger students to grab and eat

• Offer whole fruits on days when labor is limited

• Serve local produce- support Maine farmers during this time

• School garden produce

General FFVP Program Requirements

FFVP must:

• offered to all students

• serve a minimum of 2 days per week

• Follow Buy American with all purchases

Reminders• Fruits may not have accompanying

fruit dips• Vegetables may have dips - Must

be portion controlled • Cooked vegetables are allowed one

day per week • No portion size requirements-

depend on age of students

FFVP Handbook

https://www.maine.gov/doe/schools/nutrition/programs/ffvp

Nutrition Education

• Will be limited this year

• Send “fun facts” to classrooms or for morning announcements – Fact sheets available on Child Nutrition website

• Promote FFVP on menus- school website

• Use free resources from Team Nutrition

FFVP Highlight- Waterville

Publicizing the FFVP

• School board meetings

• School media centers (i.e. screens in lobby)

• Email blasts to school staff

• School/district website

• Social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)

Complete by February 1st of

each year

Mark your calendars!

Reimbursable Costs

Operating Funds vs. Administrative Funds

Operating funds include:

• Fruits and Vegetables*• Labor to prep• Labor to serve• Supplies

– napkins, – bowls, – cutting boards– paring knives– serving trays, etc.

*The majority of the FFVP allocation is to be spent on fresh fruits and vegetables.

Administrative funds ** include:

• Labor to Order Product• Labor to schedule • Labor to prepare claim• Large equipment purchases such as

coolers/refrigerators/carts – Must be prorated if used in other

programs– Need to submit equipment

request form & approval from DOE (Stephanie)

**Administrative funds are limited to 10% of the total grant amount at each

FFVP school.

Claiming for the FFVP

• File FFVP School Detail each month

• Keep all back-up documentation on-site to support the monthly claim for both the Operating Expenses and the Administrative Expenses

– Paperwork must be kept for 3 years plus current

NSLP or SFSP?

• Will have to file an FFVP detail in the NSLP claiming system

• If operating summer, will only be filing an FFVP school detail each month

– Instructions on how to file are on COVID page

Make sure to include products purchased!!

FFVP Monthly Claim

Reporting Reminder

• When filing your claim keep in mind that FFVP expenses need to be reported as both a Disbursement on your Financial Detail AND on your FFVP School Details

– Reimbursement program- you are paying for the costs up front (from food service budget) and then get reimbursed.

Using DoD Fresh

• According to USDA guidance, DoD Fresh produce can be served as part of FFVP

• Recorded under USDA food received, and NOT FFVP school detail (double dipping)

• May lead to spending less of the grant

Budgeting in the FFVP

Financial Management

• Spending funds in a timely manner

• Midpoint review during the school year

• Budgeting guide on our website

• Do the best you can!

FFVP Usage Report

Tips to Spend your SeptemberAllocation

• Purchase large equipment (refrigerators, carts, food prep equipment- wedgers)

– Need DOE approval and subject to 10% admin limit

• Purchase supplies and small wares (bowls, gloves, serving containers)

– No DOE approval needed

• Charge labor to FFVP (admin or operational)

Resources

• Child Nutrition- FFVP Webpage:

https://www.maine.gov/doe/schools/nutrition/programs/ffvp

• COVID-19 School Information:

https://www.maine.gov/doe/schools/nutrition/unanticipatedschoolclosure

• NEO Nutrition Reports

https://neo.maine.gov/doe/neo/nutrition/ReportDashboard

Questions?

Stephanie Stambach MS, RD, SNS

stephanie.stambach@maine.gov

215-9437 (work cell)

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the Agency ere they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, heard of hearing, or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or(3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider. In accordance with State law this institution is prohibited from discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs)If you wish to file a discrimination complaint electronically, please select File a Complaint and complete an intake questionnaire. Before completing this process it may be helpful to review relevant links under Guidance. If you are not sure how the Maine Human Rights Act may apply to, you please review the publication "What It Is! How It Works!". Maine is an equal opportunity provider and employer.