Overview
School Nutrition Programs | Program Guidance | Forms | Resources | Nutrition Education
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) FFVP provides all children in participating schools with a variety of free fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the school day. It is an effective and creative way of introducing fresh fruits and vegetables as healthy snack options. The FFVP also encourages community partnerships to support the schools when they offer free fruit and vegetables to children during the school day.
The CSDE selects FFVP schools based on an annual completed application (including all required signatures) and the level of eligibility for the schools. Schools are selected to participate in the FFVP based on the percentage of children eligible for free and reduced-price meals, with the highest priority given to schools with the highest percentages of low-income students, to the maximum extent practicable.
FFVP Guidance
- Best Practices: Handling Fresh Produce in Schools (USDA)
- Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (USDA)
- Fact Sheet: Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (USDA)
- Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program: A Handbook for Schools (USDA)
- Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Resource Center (USDA)
- FFVP Participants School Year 2025-26 (CSDE)
USDA Memos
- USDA Memo SP 16-2025: Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program: Allocation of Funds for Fiscal Year 2026
- USDA Memo SP 25-2014: School Food Authorities Purchasing Produce from U.S. Department of Defense Vendors Using Section 4 & 11 or Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Funds
- USDA Memo SP 33-2012: Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Fees in FSMC Contracts
- USDA Memo SP 08-2011: Teacher Modeling in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program
- USDA Memo SP 10-2010: Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Targeted School Selection and Outreach Process
- USDA Memo SP 19-2009: FFVP: Adherence to School Selection Criteria and Outreach to Potentially Eligible Schools
- USDA Memo SP 35-2008: Frequently Asked FFVP Questions
Nondiscrimination Statements (USDA and CSDE)