Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program: Allocation of Funds for FY 2024

The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP), under Section 19 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (NSLA), is a nationwide program that operates in select elementary schools in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The purpose of this memorandum is to provide funding allocation amounts for all state agencies for fiscal year (FY) 2024, to provide information on funding requirements and deadlines, and to serve as a reminder of important program requirements.

Allocation of Funds to State Agencies

For FY 2024, the total funding amount available to FNS to distribute to state agencies is $252.6 million. This includes $219.6 million in new funds available under Section 19 of the NSLA and an additional $33 million in unexpired carryover funds from previous years.

Per Section 19 of the NSLA, the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) will apply the following allocation formula for FFVP funding:

1. All 50 states and the District of Columbia will receive an annual grant equal to one percent of the funds made available; and
2. Remaining funds will be allocated to all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands based on the proportion of the state population to the U.S. population.

All funds are allocated using this formula.¹ Please refer to the attachment for the FFVP funding allocations being made available to each state.

Funds for State Administrative Costs

Section 19 permits state agencies to retain a portion of their total FFVP grant allocation for state administrative costs. The amount of funds retained for state administrative costs is the lesser of: (1) five percent of the state agency’s total grant for the year; or (2) the amount required to pay the costs of one full-time coordinator for the FFVP. Each state agency should identify the appropriate level and resulting salary for a FFVP coordinator within the state agency's personnel structure. As a reminder, this provision serves to assist state agencies in determining the FFVP administrative funds they can retain from their total grant and does not require state agencies to employ a coordinator for the FFVP.

The amount retained for state administrative costs must be determined upfront, since state agencies must subtract funds used for state administrative costs prior to making school selections and determining school allocations. FFVP state administrative funds are subject to the same cost accountability and management principles applied to state administrative expense funds in the National School Lunch Program.

General Program Reminders

• The statutory requirements for school selection are very prescriptive and require that schools with the highest level of free and reduced-price enrollment receive priority in selection. For more detailed information regarding school targeting, outreach to high need schools, and the application process, please refer to FNS memorandum SP10-2010, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) Targeted School Selection and Outreach Process (Dec. 1, 2009). See also the manual Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program: A Handbook for Schools.
• As stated in Section 19 of the NSLA, only elementary schools are eligible to participate in the FFVP. Secondary schools are not allowed to participate.
• Total enrollment of all schools selected by the state agency must result in a per-student allocation of $50 to $75 per year.
• Generally, each elementary school chosen to participate in the program must be a school in which not less than 50 percent of the students are eligible for free or reduced-price meals. However, per Section 19(d)(2) of the NSLA, states may select additional elementary schools if there is not a sufficient number of schools that meet this criterion. States are encouraged to notify their school districts of this ability to encourage full participation and maximize use of available funds.
• The application process must be conducted annually. However, returning schools do not have to submit a new application each year; instead, they are permitted to update their application on file, at the discretion of the state agency.
• All elementary schools should be operating the FFVP as soon as the new school year begins. Therefore, to the extent practicable, state agencies are strongly encouraged to select their schools before the current school year ends.
• Financial reporting for the FFVP will be conducted via the Food Programs Reporting System (FPRS). State agencies must submit the federal Financial Report SF-425² electronically for four quarters and also submit a final report. Instructions for reporting on the SF-425 can be found at the “Help” option at the FPRS main menu under “OMB Forms and Forms Instructions.”

The following table provides some key FFVP dates:

Key Dates to Remember

• June 30, 2023 - State agencies select SY 2023-2024 FFVP eligible schools.
• Oct. 1, 2023 - State agencies receive total annual funding.
• Sept. 30, 2024 - State agencies and schools must obligate all allocated October FY 2024 funds by this date.
• Dec. 31, 2024 - Closeout of FY2024 funds; state agencies submit final SF-425, Federal Financial Report, via FPRS.

State agencies with questions regarding FFVP should contact their respective regional offices.

Jessica Saracino
Director
Program Monitoring and Operational Support Division
Child Nutrition Programs

Attachment

• FFVP Allocations by State for FY 2024

¹ Per Section 19 of the NSLA, FNS has retained $500,000 for administrative costs of carrying out FFVP. 
² The burden associated with this requirement is captured under OMB #0584-0594 Food Programs Reporting System (FPRS) – 07/31/2023.