Idaho Department of Education

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Department of Defense (DoD) Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program allows schools to use USDA Foods entitlement dollars to buy fresh produce. Today, schools in 48 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam participate in the program. USDA DoD Fresh allocations may be changed throughout the year and USDA does not impose a cap on the amount of entitlement used through this program.

Through the USDA DoD Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, the USDA has been able to offer schools a wider variety of fresh produce than would normally be available through USDA purchases. USDA has met with DoD, and expressed its desire that local procurement efforts should be further increased, and we are aware that DoD is procuring locally to the greatest extent possible, consistent with season and quality.

Advantages of the USDA DoD Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program include greater buying power, consistent deliveries, emphasis on high quality, a large variety of produce items including precuts and locally grown, and an easy-to-use ordering website with funds tracking. For more information on the USDA DoD Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program in Idaho, please contact the State agency.

FFAVORS and Customer Service Questions can be directed to either Tessie Vez at (253) 261-7171 or Antonio Cambria at (215) 737-2545.

Grasmick Produce contact information is (208) 407-8298 or angela@grasmickproduce.com. Please include DLA, Grasmick and USDAFoodsteam@sde.idaho.gov on any produce complaints.