Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program - Produce Prescription Program (GusNIP-PPR) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Eligibility to apply for a GusNIP Produce Prescription Program grant is limited to governmental agencies and non-profit organizations.  Institutions of higher education that are local, county, tribal, territory, or state government agencies must provide documentation in support of eligibility as a governmental agency.  Please upload this documentation in Field 12 of the grant application. 

The definition of a non-profit organization in is as follows:

Nonprofit organization means any corporation, trust, association, cooperative, or other organization that: 

(1) Is operated primarily for scientific, educational, service, charitable, or similar purposes in the public interest; 

(2) Is not organized primarily for profit; and 

(3) Uses net proceeds to maintain, improve, or expand the operations of the organization.

This varies by organization.  Documentation needs to provide clarity on the structure of the organization within a governmental agency, such as a State, US Territory, Tribe, or County.  Examples of documentation could be documents that clearly identify that the university or Cooperative Extension is designated as an entity within the governmental structure, such as the Department of Agriculture, Department of Education, Department of Public Health, etc.

Example documents to support the eligibility of an institution of higher education may include, but are not limited to, an IRS determination letter or articles of incorporation.

The applicant and their partners are responsible for screening and verifying eligibility for participation in a produce prescription project. Individuals can participate in a produce prescription project if they are eligible for the following: (1) Benefits under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 USC 2011 et seq.); [MK1] or (2) medical assistance under a State plan or a waiver of such a plan under title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 USC 1392 et seq.) [MK2] and enrolled under such plan or waiver; and (3) a member of a low-income household that suffers from, or is at risk of developing, a diet-related health condition. 

One way to verify that a patient managing or at risk of developing a diet-related health condition is eligible for SNAP benefits is using the income guidelines of the SNAP Implementing Agency. 

One way to verify that a patient enrolled in Medicaid is eligible to participate in a produce prescription project is proof of enrollment in the Medicaid medical assistance plan via Proof of Insurance and verify the patient is managing or is at risk of developing, a diet-related health condition.

The spirit of the GusNIP Produce Prescription Program is to reach income-eligible individuals who are at-risk of or managing a diet-related health condition.  There is no citizenship requirement.  The produce prescription program leverages Federal safety net programs, such as SNAP and Medicaid.  Eligibility for food assistance and medical assistance varies by the State and Territory operating these programs and in some geographies is widening to include non-citizens.  NIFA wants everyone who is eligible for produce prescription projects to be reached.  Please reach out to the food assistance and medical assistance implementing agencies in your locality directly for more information about eligibility. 

As Federal government agencies VA hospitals and clinics are eligible primary applicants for produce prescription projects. VA hospitals and clinics are also among the four (4) categories of healthcare partners.  All primary applicants are required to include a healthcare partner on their proposal. 

Organizations that meet the definitions of eligible entity and healthcare partner may fulfill both roles in the grant application. The required letter of support from a healthcare partner must be provided in the grant application and specify the role in implementing and evaluating the project. If the lead applicant will also be the healthcare partner, the letter of support from a healthcare partner is still required.

As a reminder, all lead applicants should ensure that they meet the definition of an eligible entity as stated in the RFA (a governmental agency or nonprofit organization). To satisfy the Healthcare Partner requirement, the applicant must ensure that the healthcare partner falls under one of the four categories as required in the RFA: (1) a hospital, (2) Federally qualified health center, (3) hospital or clinic operated by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or (4) a healthcare provider group. Applicants must include a statement (Letter of Support from the Healthcare Partner) specifying the eligibility of the healthcare partner(s) under one of the four categories.

No.

No, farmers markets do not have to have extended hours.

No, produce prescription projects may include online grocery shopping as a method for filling the fresh fruit and vegetable prescription. 

Produce Prescription proposals must prescribe any variety of fresh whole or cut fruits and vegetables without added sugars, fats, or oils, and salt (i.e. sodium).  Peanuts or hazel nuts are not considered fruits and vegetables for the purpose of the GusNIP produce prescription.  Beans, mushrooms, peas, and lentils, classified as vegetables by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025 are considered fruits and vegetables. NIFA recognizes that food supply and food system disruptions may hinder the ability to access fresh fruits and vegetables.  If the community involved in the proposed project continues to face such disruptions as a result of the public health emergency, include a thorough description and justification in the

NIFA also encourages applicants to propose projects that emphasize culturally sensitive food and/or food practices. If this impacts the range of fresh fruits and vegetables that will be prescribed, provide a through description and justification in the Project Goals, Intended Outcomes, and Relationship to GusNIP Produce Prescription Program Purpose and Priorities section of the project narrative. 

Providing nutrition education is one of three (3) options.  In addition to prescribing fresh fruits and vegetables, projects proposed must do one of the following, (1) provide financial or non-financial incentives for eligible individuals to purchase or procure fresh fruits and vegetables; (2) provide educational resources on nutrition to eligible individuals; or (3) establish additional accessible locations for eligible individuals to procure fresh fruits and vegetables.  The most competitive proposals are consistent with the state of the science for chronic disease management and prevention. 

The GusNIP produce prescription RFA resources page includes descriptions of the participant-level core metrics and the firm-level core metrics for produce prescription projects.  The direct links to these NTAE resources are included below. 

Please visit the suite of resources to help applicants with participant-level metrics, including a list of the core metrics, baseline and post surveys, and more. 

Please visit the suite of resources to help applicants with firm-level metrics, including a list of core metrics, and firm-level reporting instructions. 

All produce prescription proposals must evaluate the impact of the project on the three goals of the GusNIP produce prescription program: (1) dietary health through consumption of fruits and vegetables; (2) individual and household food insecurity; and (3) healthcare use and associated costs. 

One of the primary goals of the GusNIP produce prescription program is to reduce healthcare use and associated costs.  Proposals need to evaluate impact of the produce prescription project on healthcare use and associated costs.  The field is still coming to consensus on these metrics.  The NTAE website lists potential healthcare outcomes of interest under Other Reporting & Evaluation Resources. 

The participant-level evaluation follows a cohort-based pre- and post-project survey model from a subsample of participants. The core metrics survey includes measures of fruit and vegetable consumption and food security. The dietary assessment tool is 10 items from the Dietary Screener Questionnaire (DSQ) developed by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Risk Factor Assessment Branch (RFAB) and administered in the 2009-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The DSQ captures daily cup equivalents of fruits and vegetables consumed. The food security assessment tool is the USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) 6-item Food Security Survey Module. The Food Security Survey captures household food security status on a scale from high or marginal food security, low food security, to very low food security.  These measures are the foundation that proposals may build upon to advance the field. 

Collection of these measures may constitute human subjects research.  All GusNIP grantees must protect the rights, privacy and welfare of human subjects that are recruited to participate in research activities.  This is done by working with Institutional Review Boards (IRBs).  IRB review ensures that research is ethical, unbiased, and complies with laws and regulations designed to protect program participants. The NTAE can help applicants navigate the IRB process and determine the best IRB through which to submit for approval. 

Please visit the suite of resources to help applicants navigate IRB requirements.

Proposed projects cannot provide cash or cash value items to incentivize the behavior of potential participants. Participants can, however, be reimbursed for their time and effort if they independently choose to complete an evaluation survey. Applicants may include compensation of participant time and effort under participant support costs, other direct costs, or the evaluation budget depending on who will administer the reimbursement. The value of compensation or stipend should be commensurate with the time and effort contributed. For example: survey completion is anticipated to take one hour, participants will be reimbursed $20; or, travel to the clinic is anticipated to be approximately 18 miles, participants will be reimbursed $10.

Vehicles to be used as mobile markets may be an allowable expense depending on the proposed project design and objectives. Applicants must clearly explain and justify 1) why the item is needed, 2) if inventory exists elsewhere, and if so, can it be used instead of purchasing new inventory, 3) if there is a less expensive alternative to purchasing (i.e., leasing), and 4) what percentage of the cost is prorated among the activities to benefitted. As part of NIFA’s pre-award review process, cost(s) will be thoroughly vetted. You may be asked to submit a financial analysis, documented procurement procedures, detailed quote(s), and/or other items as requested. If approved, the procurement, inventory confirmation, use and disposition of equipment must in accordance with 2 CFR 200.313[MK1] , award terms and conditions and NIFA policy. 

Modification of a vehicle may be an allowable expense depending on the proposed project design and objectives. Applicants must clearly explain and justify that the cost is ordinary and necessary for the proper and efficient performance of the project. Additionally, applicants must consider and justify if the cost to modify the vehicle involves a significant deviation from established organizational practices.

Surveys are intended for any participant. However, the sample size is intended to be yearly. Post-award, the NTAE will work with each grantee on an individual basis to determine the sample size and sampling plan.

Grantees and their participating firms are expected to comply with all policies and requirements laid out in the RFA document as well as any GusNIP or SNAP/NAP policies or requirements further clarified in Q&As, memoranda, or other relevant USDA documents (including all applicable provisions of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 and SNAP regulations at 7 CFR 278[MK2] ). Grantees will be notified in writing of instances of noncompliance and will face serious repercussions for repeated instances of noncompliance. 

Examples of such noncompliance include, but are not limited to, failure to timely report a change of Project Director (PD), failure to provide required evaluation data to Nutrition Incentive Program Training, Technical Assistance, Evaluation, and Information Center (NTAE), allowing unapproved firms to participate in a project, and/or incentivizing ineligible products, or exchanging incentives for cash. 

First Instance of Noncompliance. If the grantee or the grantee’s firms fail to comply with GusNIP or SNAP/NAP rules and this is the first instance of noncompliance associated with that grantee, then the USDA will notify the grantee of the issue in writing and establish a timeline for corrective action. The general timeline for such corrective action is 30 calendar days, although the timeline may be extended or shortened depending on the nature and extent of the issue at hand at the discretion of the USDA. 

If the grantee fails to take required corrective action within the established timeline, then the USDA will immediately suspend that grantee’s access to grant funds. Access to grant funds will be restored when corrective action has been taken. 

Second Instance of Noncompliance. If the grantee or the grantee’s firms fail to comply with GusNIP or SNAP/NAP rules and this is the second instance of noncompliance associated with that grantee, then the USDA will immediately suspend that grantee’s access to grant funds, notify the grantee of the issue in writing and establish a timeline for corrective action. The general timeline for such corrective action is 30 calendar days, although the timeline may be extended or shortened depending on the nature and extent of the issue at hand at the discretion of the USDA. Access to grant funds will be restored when corrective action has been taken. 

Third Instance of Noncompliance. If the grantee or the grantee’s firms fail to comply with GusNIP or SNAP/NAP rules and this is the third instance of noncompliance associated with that grantee, then the USDA will immediately suspend that grantee’s access to grant funds, notify the grantee of the issue in writing and establish a timeline for corrective action. In addition, the USDA will rescind 10% of the total Federal grant funding. The general timeline for such corrective action is 30 calendar days, although the timeline may be extended or shortened depending on the nature and extent of the issue at hand at the discretion of the USDA. Access to the remaining grant funds will be restored when corrective action has been taken. 

Further Instances of Noncompliance. If the grantee or the grantee’s firms fail to comply with GusNIP or SNAP/NAP rules and more than three such instances of noncompliance have already been documented, then the USDA will rescind the remaining Federal GusNIP grant funds in their entirety. 

Considering a History of Noncompliance during Application Evaluation. A history of noncompliance with GusNIP or any other USDA grant policies and requirements will be considered during the grant application evaluation process as detailed in Part V. B, Evaluation Criteria of the RFA.

During the tenure of a grant, Project Directors (PDs) must attend a NIFA PD meeting each year. The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss their projects, opportunities for collaborative efforts, and to enhance dissemination of exemplary end products/results. Reasonable travel expenses to attend this meeting may be included in the application’s budget under travel expenses.

Additional travel opportunities to attend other GusNIP-related gatherings, including those hosted by the Nutrition Incentive Hub may also be considered in budget planning. These are not a substitute for the required annual attendance and the NIFA PD meeting. 

Applications where the primary goal is merely to sustain efforts that are the same as a previous project are not allowed. To the extent possible, new proposals must be sufficiently unique with clear demonstration of new objectives, aims, activities and goals. If an objective, activity, etc., from a previous project is duplicated, justification for its continuity is required. 

Examples of expanded or enhanced projects, rather than duplicative projects might include: 1) continuing to aim to increase fruits and vegetable consumption, but to do so in a new geographical location, community or patient population; 2) continuing to offer nutrition education, but enhancing that experience to include new partnerships with subject matter experts, or 3) continuing to offer produce prescriptions but enhancing the process to include new paperless technologies or online shopping opportunities.

If a proposal is an expansion or enhancement of a previously funded project, lessons learned and how they are being used to improve the efficacy and success of the current application must be included in the Non-Supplantation section of the project narrative.

The 2024 PPR RFA was released prior to the passage of a full appropriations act for FY 2024. Enactment of a continuing resolution, appropriations act, or other authorizing legislation may affect the availability or level of funding for this program. The anticipated amount available for grants in fiscal year FY 2024 is approximately $5.2 million.

SNAP State Agency support is not required for Produce Prescription proposals.  However, Produce Prescription applications with a project design that involves SNAP transactions and SNAP authorized firms must submit a SNAP Implementing Agency letter of support and follow the SNAP firm MOU process. 

Produce prescription grant applications must include documentation of a partnership agreement with a healthcare partner in one of the following four categories: hospital, Federally qualified health center, hospital or clinic operated by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or healthcare provider group. 

The GusNIP Nutrition Incentive Training, Technical Assistance, Evaluation, and Information Center (NTAE) Center is led by the Gretchen Swanson Center for Nutrition. In partnership with Fair Food Network, they created the Nutrition Incentive Hub, a coalition of partners including the Farmer’s Market Coalition, National Grocers Association Foundation, Michigan Farmers Market Association, and Ecology Center. The Nutrition Incentive Hub coalition of partners support produce prescription projects. Currently there is only one GusNIP NTAE Center. 

The GusNIP NTAE’s Nutrition Incentive Hub provides free group sessions and one-on-one support - including templates, checklists, webinars, and other resources - to all GusNIP grantees and applicants.  Applicants are highly encouraged to take advantage of these technical assistance resources and services.  Please visit the resource page at: https://www.nutritionincentivehub.org/resources/resources.

The Nutrition Incentive Hub also offers several resources specifically developed to assist with the Request for Applications (RFA). These resources can be found here: https://www.nutritionincentivehub.org/resources/resources/gusnip-request-for-applications/produce-prescription-rfa-2024

For specific questions related to proposal development or implementation, the technical assistance team may be reached at: ta@nutritionincentivehub.org. 

For specific questions related to reporting and evaluation, please contact evaluation@nutritionincentivehub.org. 

The GusNIP NTAE’s Nutrition Incentive Hub provides free group sessions, one-on-one support to potential applicants (before) and grantees (after) of the GusNIP produce prescription program. 

Before submitting their proposal, all applicants are required to have a consultation session of approximately 1 hour with the GusNIP Nutrition Incentive Program Training, Technical Assistance, Evaluation, and Information Center’s (GusNIP NTAE Center’s) Nutrition Incentive Hub for free group sessions, one-on-one support and to review common mistakes.  Free one-on-one support includes templates, checklists, webinars, and other resources. To document completion of this consultation all applicants must include a letter of support/verification from the GusNIP NTAE Center in their proposal.  The opportunities for applicants to engage in the required NTAE consultation session and instructions for requesting the verification letter are available on the Nutrition Incentive Hub 2024 RFA resources page: https://www.nutritionincentivehub.org/resources/resources/gusnip-request-for-applications/produce-prescription-rfa-2024

The Project Director must attend the consultation. Additional partners and team members are also welcome.

Yes, communities of practice are open.  All are encouraged to attend, no matter your experience level with the topic!  Learn more here:  https://www.nutritionincentivehub.org/join-our-community 

These letters should acknowledge the support and contributions of partner organizations and provide evidence of broad community involvement in both planning and decision-making. Applicants and their project partner organizations must ensure that no State, Territory, or local tax is collected when produce prescriptions are redeemed.  This must be documented in the grant application in the project narrative and/or letter of support from the appropriate partner organization(s). Additionally, letters of support for each key organization are limited to two (2) pages and should be uploaded to Field 12 of the grant application. 

PPR projects may be proposed by groups developing programs at less than the county level.  A project in one healthcare facility is eligible. Applicants should request a budget and project period commensurate with the proposed project.

Project proposals submitted to the PPR program area may be for up to 3 years in duration and of $500,000 or less.  All PPR program area grantees are required to participate in the comprehensive GusNIP evaluation. 

Being eligible for SNAP is one part of determining eligibility to participate in a produce prescription project.  It is not the only criterion for eligibility, and it is not required. 

Individuals can participate in a Produce Prescription project if they are eligible for the following: (1) benefits under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008  (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq[KMRN1] .); or (2) medical assistance under a State plan or a waiver of such a plan under title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.) [KMRN2] and enrolled under such plan or waiver; and (3) a member of a low-income household that suffers from, or is at risk of developing, a diet-related health condition.

To be eligible to participate in a produce prescription project the individual may either meet items (1) and (3) or items (2) and (3) above. 

Underrepresented geographies listed in the RFA are States and US Territories that do not have an active GusNIP produce prescription project primary awardee within their borders. 

Historically underrepresented communities include Tribal communities, communities of color, LGBTQIA+, individuals with disabilities, Veterans, rural and remote communities, insular areas, or communities with residents predominantly living under the Federal poverty line. 

Annually, NIFA requires the submission of progress and financial reports into a system. called REEport. Additionally, a Federal Financial form SF-425 is due annually. NIFA’s Manage a Grant website provides further information on annual reporting.

The success rate in FY2023 was 15%

Yes, the same organization may submit a Produce Prescription Program proposal and a Nutrition Incentive Program proposal.  Applicants are encouraged to think critically about their organization’s capacity to complete the work proposed.

The start date of the grant must be no later than September 30, 2024. 

Charts and tables are included in the 15-page project narrative.  The project narrative must not exceed 15-pages, 1.5 spaced including written text, figures, and tables with 1-inch margins. The font size for text and tables should be no smaller than 12 points, Times New Roman. There is no limit to the number of pages an applicant may dedicate to figures, tables, or charts within the overall 15-page limit. Figures, tables, or charts may be woven throughout the narrative; it is not required for them to be at the end of the narrative following the text.  We have established this maximum (15 pages) to ensure fair and equitable competition.  Applications exceeding the project narrative page limit may be administratively declined without review. 

In 2024, it is recommended to include a table with implementation details in the Activities to Achieve the Goals section of the project narrative.  A recommended length has been removed. Applicants may determine the length appropriate to best communicate their proposed project. 

Before a firm or clinic can participate in a GusNIP Produce Prescription Program project, the applicant/grantee organization and the partner firm must execute a signed MOU or Data Use Agreement. The signed Agreement provides grantees with a means to ensure that the partner firm understands their role and responsibilities, including following GusNIP policy and that core program data sets must be submitted to the NTAE. Signed Agreements need not be included in the application but should be available upon NIFA’s request during the active award period while the partner participation is in place.

MOU Resource - https://www.nutritionincentivehub.org/media/fxla45yw/gusnip-firm-mou-template-2019.docx 

State-run Title XIX medical assistance health plans qualify participants as eligible for PPR programs. Medicaid and CHIP are examples. Title XIX waivers do vary by state. Please reach out to health plan operators if you have a specific form of medical assistance in your state that you feel may be eligible under Title XIX.

All applications that meet the initial screening criteria in the RFA will be considered for funding; proposals serving underrepresented communities and geographies will be prioritized.

The dosage for a produce prescription should be determined in partnership with the healthcare provider. There are PPR projects where the dosage of the prescription is written at the household level. Be sure to make this clear in the project narrative.

A template Medicaid State Agency Agreement is available at: https://www.nutritionincentivehub.org/resources/resource-item?resource=ebe30de9-101b-43ab-80bf-c67863b97da0

No, there is no funding allocation guidance in the 2024 RFA. The funding allocation requirement was removed to provide more flexibility to applicants when preparing project budgets.  Applicants may divide their budget as it fits the work proposed.  Anything to do with the budget information should be provided in the Budget and Budget Justification section. 

Costs associated with administrative claims data from healthcare encounters may be allowable if they are necessary and reasonable for the performance of the program and are adequately documented.

You may estimate what you think your indirect cost rate is and put that amount on the budget pending negotiation. However, please note, it may take six to nine months to negotiate a rate if NIFA is your cognizant negotiating agency. The funds for the indirect costs will not be released for payment until the rate has been approved. More information can be found on the NIFA Indirect Costs page.

Requirements for the development and submission of indirect cost rate proposals differ by entity type (2 CFR Part 200.414(e)). For budgeting purposes, an entity may elect to use the most recent indirect cost rate or a reasonably estimated indirect cost rate that will be negotiated. Upon award, indirect costs will be withheld until a new agreement is produced.

The RFA Sub-award Restrictions require no more than 33% of the budget be sub-awarded without prior NIFA approval from the National Program Leaders. 

Yes, applicants may propose 3-year projects, 2-year projects, or 1-year projects. NIFA makes awards in 12-month increments.

To start the SAM.gov registration process, please visit: https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration. On April 4, 2022, the unique entity identifier changed from the DUNS Number to the Unique Entity ID. Entity registration now requires use of the new Unique Entity ID. New entities can get their Unique Entity ID at SAM.gov. 

GusNIP produce prescription program is a mandatory program with an RFA released each year. The maximum project duration that can be proposed is 3 years.

GusNIP Produce Prescription Projectsfunded fromFY2019 to FY2023 - can be found here: https://portal.nifa.usda.gov/enterprise-search/ss/1506

NIFA authorizes award recipients to incur project costs up to 90 calendar days before the Federal award start date. Expenses more than 90 days pre-award require prior approval from NIFA. Costs incurred, may be reimbursed after the Federal award start date, but are at the risk of the recipient. NIFA is not required to reimburse costs if for any reason the: (1) award is not made; (2) award is less than anticipated; or (3) award is inadequate to cover such costs. If charged to the award, these costs must be charged to the initial budget period of the award, unless otherwise specified by NIFA.

Total fresh fruit and vegetable prescription dollars must be summarized in the Budget Justification with clear affirmation of which budget category or categories were used to calculate the total. For example, a project design may necessitate produce prescriptions are included in F.8 Other Direct Costs and F.5 Subawards/Contractual Costs, however, the Budget Justification should clearly describe that total fresh fruit and vegetable prescriptions are a sum of F.8 and the portion of F.5 specified as produce prescriptions. 

At least one healthcare provider letter of support must be submitted to specify the provider’s role in implementing and evaluating the project. If multiple providers are planned, additional letters are accepted. In addition to support letters, applicants must ensure sufficient information is presented in the grant application to justify the healthcare partnership and clearly explain planned interactions.