The California Department of Education (CDE) Nutrition Services Division (NSD) is now accepting applications for the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) grant for School Year (SY) 2025–26. Additionally, FFVP applicants can also opt-in to a new, one-time funding opportunity, the FFVP Try Agriculture Samples with Tastes and Education (TASTE) Incentive, through the FFVP application. Applications are due Thursday, March 20, 2025, at 4 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time (PDT).
Overview of Grants
The FFVP provides free fresh fruit or vegetable snacks to elementary school students, during the school day, outside of the School Breakfast and National School Lunch (NSLP) Programs. The goals are to introduce children to new and different varieties of fresh fruits and vegetables and increase overall acceptance and consumption of fresh, unprocessed produce. The FFVP also encourages healthier school environments by promoting nutrition education.
The FFVP TASTE Incentive provides additional, one-time federal funds for SY 2025–26 to FFVP awardees who opt in, enabling them to offer students at least three taste-tests of local, organic, or sustainably grown fruits and vegetables and purchase nutrition or agricultural education materials.
FFVP Grant Application and Instructions
To be considered for an FFVP grant, new applicants and current 2024–25 FFVP grantees must complete and submit the online Request for Application.
- FFVP application web page
- Informational video: FFVP: How to Apply, Course Number 460
- FFVP application instructions web page
FFVP Grant Period: July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026
FFVP Eligible Agencies
The FFVP grant is intended to support the highest-need elementary schools. The U. S. Department of Agriculture criteria require that schools must have at least 50 percent of their student population eligible for free and reduced-price meals (F/RP). Over the past eight years, the highest-need California schools typically had at least 86 percent of students eligible for F/RP meals. School type eligibility includes:
- School districts and county offices of education for elementary schools
- Direct-funded charter elementary schools
- Private elementary schools participating in the NSLP with at least 50% F/RP eligibility
- Residential child care institutions operating elementary schools and participating in the NSLP
In compliance with federal law, schools are selected based on application criteria and F/RP eligibility, with priority given to those with the highest F/RP percentages.
For more information about the FFVP and grant eligibility requirements, visit the CDE FFVP web page.
FFVP TASTE Incentive Application and Instructions
Schools that are awarded the FFVP grant, may also opt-in to the FFVP TASTE Incentive that is included in the SY 2025–26 FFVP grant application.
FFVP TASTE Incentive Grant Period: July 1, 2025–March 31, 2026
FFVP TASTE Incentive Eligibility
The FFVP TASTE Incentive is available exclusively to SY 2025–26 FFVP grantees. To qualify, the school food authority must be selected as a grantee for the SY 2025–26 FFVP and opt-in to the FFVP TASTE Incentive funding. Applicants who do not receive the FFVP grant or who fail to opt into the FFVP TASTE Incentive are ineligible. Additionally, if a grantee discontinues participation in the FFVP, they will lose eligibility for the FFVP TASTE Incentive and must return the funding.
FFVP Application and FFVP TASTE Incentive Opt-in Deadline: Thursday, March 20, 2025, at 4 p.m. PDT
All applications received after 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 20, 2025, will be ineligible for funding.
- Only online applications are accepted
- No mailed, emailed, scanned, faxed, or hard copy applications will be accepted
- No late applications will be accepted
- No partial submissions will be accepted
More Information
For more information about the FFVP, visit the CDE FFVP web page.
For more information about the FFVP TASTE Incentive, visit the CDE FFVP web page and select the TASTE tab.
Contact Information
For questions regarding the FFVP, contact the CDE FFVP Team by email at FFVP@cde.ca.gov.
For questions regarding the FFVP TASTE Incentive, contact the NSD Farm to School Team by email at Farm2School@cde.ca.gov.