Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program’s Produce Prescription Grant

Applicants for the GusNIP Produce Prescription Program must meet all eligibility requirements outlined in 7 U.S.C. 7517 and as discussed in this RFA. Failure to meet the eligibility criteria by the application deadline may result in exclusion from consideration or preclude NIFA from making an award. For those new to Federal financial assistance, NIFA’s Grants Overview provides highly recommended information about grants and other resources to help understand the Federal awards process.

1. Eligible Entity
Eligibility to receive a 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. Documentation must 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. Veterans’ Health Administration and various components of its healthcare system, such as hospitals or clinics are eligible governmental agencies.
2. Partners and Collaborators
The required healthcare partner(s) may include (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 specifying the eligibility of the healthcare partner(s) under one of the four categories.

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. The purpose of the GusNIP Produce Prescription Program is to bring together stakeholders from various parts of the food and healthcare systems. GusNIP projects help foster understanding to improve the health and nutrition status of participating households prescribed fresh fruits and vegetables.

Applicants for Produce Prescription Program grants are encouraged to seek and create partnerships with public or private, non-profit or for-profit entities, including links with academic institutions (including minority-serving colleges and universities and tribal colleges and universities) and/or other appropriate professionals; community-based organizations; tribal nations and local government entities; Tribal health centers, public health departments, pharmacies, school nurses, or private and public health insurance agencies and/or partnering entities for the purposes of providing additional resources and strengthening historical failure in underserved communities.

Produce Prescription Program applicants may partner with or make subgrants to, public, private, nonprofit, or for-profit entities, including an emergency feeding organization; an agricultural cooperative; a producer network or association; a community health organization; a public benefit corporation; an economic development corporation; a farmers market; a community-supported agriculture program; a buying club; retail food store participating in SNAP/NAP; and a Tribal, State, Territory, or local agency.

Only the applicant must meet the requirements specified above for grant eligibility. Project partners and collaborators need not meet the eligibility requirements. When planning collaborations, award recipients may sub-award to organizations not eligible to apply provided such organizations are necessary for the successful completion of the project. See Part IV.C Funding Restrictions of this RFA.

3. Fiscal Agent
If a non-profit orga

The primary goal and objective of the GusNIP Produce Prescription Program is to demonstrate and evaluate the impact of projects on (1) the improvement of dietary health through increased consumption of fruits and vegetables; (2) the reduction of individual and household food insecurity; and (3) the reduction in healthcare use and associated costs.