Teacher Modeling in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program

In response to several inquiries, this memorandum provides guidance on the allowable consumption of FFVP fruits and vegetables by teachers.

We realize that teachers can play a valuable role in modeling fruit and vegetable consumption. Therefore, we are allowing schools to allow teachers to consume fruits and vegetables as part of the FFVP under the following conditions:

• Only teachers who are directly responsible for serving the fruit and/or vegetable to their students in a classroom setting may partake of the fruit and/or vegetable.
• The program 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.

Please note that this policy does not allow teacher or administrator fruit baskets, which were incorrectly purchased by some schools for promotional purposes when FFVP was first implemented.

This memorandum supersedes the policy set forth on this topic in the revised FFVP guidance manual published in August 2010. We will update the guidance manual and post the new version on the website soon.

State agencies should contact their regional office for additional questions or concerns.

Cindy Long
Director
Child Nutrition Division