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THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234

Office of P-20 Education Policy
Child Nutrition Program Administration
89 Washington Avenue, Room 375 EBA, Albany, NY 12234
Phone: (518) 473-8781 Fax: (518) 473-0018
To: 
School Food Service Directors/Managers
From: 
Frances N. O'Donnell, Coordinator
Date: 
Monday, November 15, 2010
Subject: 
Teacher Modeling in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP)

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

USDA realizes that teachers can play a valuable role in modeling fruit and vegetable consumption. Therefore, they 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 by USDA in August 2010. They will update the guidance manual and post the new version on the website soon.

Questions on the FFVP can be directed to Meghan Usher  at 518-473-8781. 

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with federal civil rights law and USDA civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the state or local agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

  1. Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
  2. Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
  3. Email: program.intake@usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

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