November 10, 2010
TO: Sponsors of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program
RE: Teacher Modeling in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program
The Oregon Department of Education Child Nutrition Programs received guidance from
USDA concerning the allowable consumption of Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program
(FFVP) fruits and vegetables by teachers.
Teachers can play a valuable role in modeling fruit and vegetable consumption. USDA
allows teachers to consume fruits and vegetables as part of the FFVP under the following
conditions:
- Only teachers 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.
This policy does not allow teacher or administrator fruit baskets, which were incorrectly
purchased by some schools for promotional purposes when the FFVP was initially
implemented.
This information supersedes the policy in the revised FFVP guidance manual published in
August 2010. USDA will update the guidance manual and post the new version on their
website soon.
If you have questions, please contact your assigned Child Nutrition Specialist.
questions, please contact your assigned Child Nutrition Specialist.
Sincerely,
Heidi Dupuis
Manager, School Nutrition
Child Nutrition Programs
Office of the Superintendent