Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Training - School Year 2021 - Maine.gov

Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program
              Training

         School Year 2021

To be selected for the FFVP:
 School
Selection   ❖ Be an elementary school or
              combination of grades preK-8
 Criteria
            ❖ Priority given to the highest
              percentage of students
              certified 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

                                                 Reminders
FFVP must:                        •   Fruits may not have accompanying
                                      fruit dips
• offered to all students         •   Vegetables may have dips - Must
• serve a minimum of 2 days per       be portion controlled
   week                           •   Cooked vegetables are allowed one
                                      day per week
• Follow Buy American with all    •   No portion size requirements-
   purchases                          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:                                 Administrative funds ** include:
•    Fruits and Vegetables*                              •     Labor to Order Product
•    Labor to prep                                       •     Labor to schedule
•    Labor to serve                                      •     Labor to prepare claim
•    Supplies                                            •     Large equipment purchases such as
      –    napkins,                                            coolers/refrigerators/carts
      –    bowls,                                               – Must be prorated if used in other
      –    cutting boards                                          programs
      –    paring knives                                        – Need to submit equipment
      –    serving trays, etc.                                     request form & approval from
                                                                   DOE (Stephanie)
*The majority of the FFVP allocation is to be spent on
fresh fruits and vegetables.
                                                             **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 September
               Allocation

• 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/unanticipatedschoolclo
sure

• 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)

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