[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 213 (Thursday, November 2, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65825-65828]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-28201]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Commodity Credit Corporation


Seniors Farmers' Market Nutrition Pilot Program: Opportunity To 
Submit Grant Applications

AGENCY: Commodity Credit Corporation, Agriculture.

ACTION: Notice of opportunity to submit grant applications.

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SUMMARY: USDA's Commodity Credit Corporation will be making grants to 
States and Indian tribal governments. The grants must be used to 
provide coupons to low-income seniors that they may exchange for 
eligible foods at farmers' markets, roadside stands, and community 
supported agriculture programs. Eligible foods are fresh, nutritious, 
unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Ten million 
dollars are available for grants for the 2001 farmers' market season.

DATE: Applications must be received on or before December 1, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Applications must be sent to Diane Kriviski, Grants 
Management Specialist, Food and Nutrition Service, USDA, Grants 
Management Division, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 738, Alexandria, 
Virginia 22302.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Diane Kriviski at (703) 305-2049.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. What Is the Seniors Farmers' Market Nutrition Program?

A. Background

    The Seniors Farmers' Market Nutrition Pilot Program is a new 
program established by USDA's Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). Under 
the program, CCC will make grants to States and Indian tribal 
governments. The grants must be used to provide low-income seniors 
coupons they may exchange for eligible foods at farmers' markets, 
roadside stands, and community supported agriculture programs. Eligible 
foods are fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, 
vegetables, and herbs. The grant funds may be used only to support the 
costs of the foods that are provided under the program; no 
administrative funding is available. USDA's Food and Nutrition Service 
(FNS) will assist CCC in evaluating the grant applications.

B. Purpose

    The purposes of the Seniors Farmers' Market Nutrition Pilot Program 
are to (1) provide resources in the form of fresh, nutritious, 
unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs from farmers' 
markets, roadside stands and community supported agriculture programs 
to low-income seniors, (2) increase the domestic consumption of 
agricultural commodities by expanding or aiding in the expansion of 
domestic farmers' markets, roadside stands, and community supported 
agriculture programs, and (3) develop or aid in the development of new 
and additional farmers' markets, roadside stands, and community 
supported agriculture programs.

C. Authority

    Funds are being made available for this pilot program pursuant to 
the CCC Charter Act. Section 5(e) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 714c(e)) 
authorizes CCC to use its resources to ``Increase the domestic 
consumption of agricultural commodities by expanding or aiding in the 
expansion of domestic markets or by developing or aiding in the 
development of new and additional markets, marketing facilities, and 
uses for such commodities.''

II. Who Is Eligible for These Grants?

    All States and federally recognized Indian tribal governments are 
eligible for these grants. Indian tribal governments may apply directly 
or as part of a State application. Each State may submit only one 
application on behalf of all interested State agencies, local 
governments, and non-profit organizations in that State, and any Indian 
tribal governments that want to participate through the State. Each 
applicant State must designate a lead State agency. However, the lead 
State agency may make subgrants to other State agencies, Indian tribal 
governments, local governments, and

[[Page 65826]]

non-profit organizations. Also, Indian tribal governments may make 
subgrants to local governments and non-profit organizations in the 
areas they serve. Interested State agencies, local governments, and 
non-profit organizations should contact their Governor's office or 
Indian tribal governments to work together on an application. States 
and Indian tribal governments that choose to subgrant all or part of 
the pilot program funds are responsible for ensuring that the funds are 
spent in accordance with requirements for the pilot program.

III. How Much Is Available for the Grants and When Must the Funds 
Be Spent?

    Ten million dollars are available for the grants. Grant funds may 
be obligated beginning with the grant award (expected in early January 
2001) through December 31, 2001. The grants will be awarded through a 
competitive process. We may adjust the amounts requested in the grant 
applications to ensure that the grants we award are funded at 
appropriate levels. The submission of a grant application does not 
guarantee funding.
    All program activities under the grants must be completed by 
December 31, 2001. The pilot program will be evaluated during and after 
the grant period. If it is successful, we expect to continue the 
program in the 2002 farmers' market season. The evaluation will also 
help us decide whether we need to make any changes in order to improve 
the program. You must cooperate with the evaluation by providing 
requested data and access to your records.

IV. What Are the Reporting Requirements for Grantees?

    You will be required to submit quarterly financial status reports, 
quarterly progress reports, and a final report. The quarterly financial 
and progress reports are due April 30, July 31, and October 31, 2001. 
The final report is due March 31, 2002. The progress reports and the 
final report must indicate the number of outlets authorized to receive 
coupons (i.e. farmers, farmers' markets, roadside stands, and/or 
community supported agriculture programs) by category and the number of 
recipients who have been issued coupons.

V. How Do I Submit a Grant Application?

    Your grant application must be received by FNS on or before 
December 1, 2000. Applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. on 
December 1, 2000. You must meet this deadline by delivering the 
application or by mailing it sufficiently in advance of the deadline to 
ensure its timely receipt. We will return late applications without 
consideration in the competition. We will not consider additions or 
revisions to applications once they are received.
    You must submit an original and two copies of your application. The 
original must bear the original signature of your authorized 
representative. The original must be ready for copying, that is single-
sided, unstapled, unbound, and on 8\1/2\''  x  11'' paper. Your 
original and copies must be on white paper. We reserve the right to 
reject any application containing a grant proposal over 25 pages in 
length. We will not accept applications sent by datafax and/or 
e-mail.
    Your application must be delivered or mailed to: Diane Kriviski, 
Grants Management Specialist, Food and Nutrition Service, USDA, Grants 
Management Division, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 738, Alexandria, 
Virginia 22302.
    Call Diane Kriviski at (703) 305-2049 with any questions about the 
grant application. We will respond by telephone to questions seeking 
clarification, whether technical in nature or relating to the 
application procedures.

VI. What Is the Meaning of the Terms Used in This Request for Grant 
Applications?

    The following definitions and conditions apply to this pilot 
program:
    Community supported agriculture program means a program under which 
a farmer grows food for a group of shareholders (or subscribers) who 
pledge to buy a portion of the farmer's crop that season.
    Coupon means a coupon, voucher, or other negotiable financial 
instrument by which benefits under the pilot program are transferred to 
pilot program recipients. Coupons must contain a date by which the 
recipient must use the coupon, a date by which the farmer must submit 
the coupon for payment, a unique and sequential serial number, a 
denomination, and an identifier for the redeeming farmer. The 
denominations of the coupons must be sufficiently small to ensure that 
recipient can redeem coupons at or near their full value.
    Eligible foods means fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown 
fruits, vegetables, and herbs for human consumption. Eligible foods may 
not be processed or prepared beyond their natural state except for 
usual harvesting and cleaning processes. Honey, maple syrup, cider, and 
nuts are examples of foods that are not eligible for purposes of the 
pilot program.
    Farmer means an individual who sells produce at farmers' markets, 
roadside stands, and community supported agriculture programs, but does 
not include an individual who exclusively sells produce grown by 
someone else, such as wholesale distributors.
    Farmers' market means an association of local farmers who assemble 
at a defined location for the purpose of selling their produce directly 
to consumers.
    Federally recognized Indian tribal government means the same as 
that term is defined in 7 CFR 3017.3.
    Locally grown means grown within the borders of the State that your 
project serves. If you choose, locally grown may also mean grown in 
areas of States adjacent to the State your project serves, as long as 
those areas are part of the United States.
    Recipient means a person who meets the age and income eligibility 
limits for your project and to whom you have issued coupons.
    Roadside stand means a location at which a single, individual 
farmer sells his/her produce directly to consumers.
    State means the 50 States of the United States and the District of 
Columbia.

VII. What Do I Have To Include in My Grant Proposal?

    Your grant application must include a grant proposal that describes 
in detail your plan to operate a project under the Seniors Farmers' 
Market Nutrition Pilot Program. At a minimum, your grant proposal must 
address the following areas in sufficient detail to demonstrate your 
ability to meet the requirements of the pilot program and must be 
organized as follows:

1. General Administration Requirements

    a. Purpose. Describe how your project will achieve the purposes 
(stated above) of the program. Include:
     Proposed period of operation.
     Proposed age and income eligibility limits for recipients. 
If you propose to serve people under the age of 60 or with household 
incomes above 185% of the poverty income guidelines (currently $20,813 
for a two-person household), include a justification for your 
eligibility limit.
     Number of recipients you estimate you will serve during 
the grant period.
     Frequency of coupon issuance, value of coupons at each 
issuance to a recipient, and maximum total amount a recipient will be 
issued during the grant period.

[[Page 65827]]

     Service area.
    Describe any current or prior experience you have with farmers' 
market projects or programs. If you operated a farmers' market program 
for seniors during the 2000 farmers' market season, indicate the amount 
you spent for this program and include an assurance that you will 
maintain this level of funding (in addition to any pilot program funds) 
during the grant period.
    b. Administrative capacity. Describe your administrative capacity 
to operate the project. Because administrative funding will not be 
provided under the grant, describe how you and any participating 
organizations will pay the administrative costs of the program. 
Identify the organization within the lead State agency or Indian tribal 
government and key staff who will direct the work of the your project 
and ensure all requirements of the grant agreement are met.
    c. Financial management. Describe your financial management system, 
including how the system will provide accurate, current and complete 
disclosure of the financial status of the program and quarterly 
financial status reports.
    d. Record keeping. Describe your record keeping system, including 
your system for maintaining separate records for funds received under 
this grant and records pertaining to financial operations, coupon 
issuance and redemption, market authorization, and participation.

2. Funding Request

    Indicate the amount of funds you are requesting and how you 
determined that amount.

3. Recipient Certification and Benefit Delivery

    a. Recipient certification and coupon issuance. Describe how you 
will determine the eligibility of recipients and issue coupons to 
recipients.
    b. Coupon redemption system. Describe your coupon redemption 
system, including how you will ensure that coupons are redeemed only by 
authorized farmers, farmers' markets, roadside stands, and/or community 
supported agriculture programs and only for eligible foods, how you 
will ensure that no cash change is issued for purchases that are in an 
amount less than the value of the coupon(s), and how you will ensure 
that no State or local taxes will be collected on purchases of food 
with coupons.
    c. Market management system. Describe how you will manage your 
markets, including your proposed criteria and procedures for 
authorizing farmers, farmers' markets, roadside stands, and/or 
community supported agriculture programs.
    d. Number of markets. Indicate in each category the number of 
farmers, farmers' markets, roadside stands, and/or community supported 
agriculture programs you estimate you will authorize.
    e. Eligible foods. List all eligible foods.
    f. Coupons. Describe your proposed coupons, including the 
denominations.

4. Nutrition Education

    Describe any nutrition education you will provide recipients.

VIII. What Do I Have To Include in My Application Package?

    Your grant application must demonstrate your willingness and 
ability to comply with the requirements described in this notice and 
any additional standards and procedures that you specify in your grant 
application and are approved by CCC. If your application does not 
adequately address these requirements, it will be considered 
nonresponsive and will not receive further consideration.
    Your grant application must include the following items. You may 
get copies of these forms by calling Diane Kriviski at (703) 305-2049.
    1. Grant proposal, as described in Section VII of this notice.
    2. Application for Federal Assistance, SF-424--This is a required 
standard form for applications for Federal assistance.
    (This form is available at www.whitehouse.gov/OMB/grants/#forms)
    3. Budget Information--Non-Construction Programs, SF-424A--Budget 
estimates show how the grant money will be spent. Approved grant funds 
must be obligated and expended in accordance with the amounts indicated 
on the Budget Information form, SF-424A, and must reflect any 
adjustments made in the grant approval notification. (This form is 
available at www.whitehouse.gov/OMB/grants/#forms)
    4. Assurances/Certifications--Applicants must provide the following 
forms:
     Assurances--Non-Construction Programs, SF-424B (This form 
is available at www.whitehouse.gov/OMB/grants/#forms).
     Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and Other 
Responsibility Matters--Primary Covered Transactions, AD-1047.
     Certification Regarding Drug Free Workplace Requirements--
Alternative II, AD-1050.
     Certification Regarding Lobbying.

IX. What Are the Terms and Conditions of the Grant?

    In addition to the requirements described in this notice, you must 
agree to comply with the USDA regulations and Office and Management and 
Budget (OMB) circulars listed below. Copies of these documents are 
available from FNS upon request.
     7 CFR Part 3016: ``Uniform Administrative Requirements for 
Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments'' 
other than Entitlement Programs (Reference OMB Circular A-102 Common 
Rule).
     7 CFR Part 3017: Subparts A-E ``Government-wide Debarment 
and Suspension (Non-procurement)''.
     7 CFR Part 3017: Subpart F ``Government-wide Requirements 
for Drug-free Workplace (Grants)''.
     7 CFR Part 3018: ``New Restrictions on Lobbying''.

X. How Will My Application Be Evaluated?

A. Panel Review

    All grant applications that meet the deadline for submission will 
be screened for completeness and conformity to the requirements of this 
request for grant applications. A panel will determine the technical 
merit of each grant application and provide a numerical score.

B. Evaluation Criteria

Project Implementation  35 Total Points
    Project implementation goals and objectives are clearly specified 
and linked to the requirements and purposes of the Seniors Farmers' 
Market Nutrition Pilot Program.--15 points
    Project implementation tasks follow directly from the project goals 
and objectives and the requirements and purposes of the Seniors 
Farmers' Market Nutrition Pilot Program and the necessity of the tasks 
is adequately explained.--15 points
    The roles and duties of all key staff are thoroughly and clearly 
explained.--5 points
Soundness of Project Design  30 Total Points
    The grant proposal describes the oversight necessary to ensure high 
quality products, services, or outcomes and to keep the project on time 
and within budget, including a clearly defined chain of command, and 
appropriate plans for managing outside personnel.--15 points
    The organization of the project allows sufficient time for proposed 
tasks, and

[[Page 65828]]

clearly discusses and demonstrates that effective communication will 
exist among staff. Proposals should include a project timeline and 
organization chart showing key activities and dates. The timeline 
provides adequate, realistic periods to complete the proposed 
activities/tasks. Letters have been submitted to document any resources 
available to the project from other sources.--15 points
Budget Appropriateness and Efficiency  25 Total Points
    The proposed budget request is adequate to support the project and 
both Federal and non-Federal resources are provided.--10 points
    Budget justifications are provided, including descriptions of how 
categorical costs were derived, discussions of the necessity, 
reasonableness, and allocability of proposed costs, and links between 
expenditures and specific activities/tasks.--10 points
    The level of Federal support requested is economical and reasonable 
in relation to the proposed scope and effort of the project.--5 points
Presentation  10 Total Points
    The grant proposal is well presented, well organized, complete, 
clear, and succinct. Proposals should be relatively brief and concise. 
The maximum acceptable proposal length is 25 pages.
Bonus Points  6 Total Points
    Up to six additional points will be awarded to grant proposals that 
include a nutrition education component. These additional points will 
be added to the panel's total score, so that the maximum total points a 
proposal could receive is a total of 106 points.

C. Grant Awards

    After the panel evaluates and scores the grant applications, they 
will be ranked by score, starting with the highest score. In general, 
CCC will award the grants in rank order until the total available funds 
are committed. However, the selecting official may take into account 
CCC priorities in addition to the scores. Also, if the selecting 
official determines that some or all of the applications lack technical 
merit, CCC may decide to award no grants, or less than the total amount 
of funds set aside for this purpose. Finally, CCC reserves the right to 
fund successful applications at an amount less than requested if it is 
judged that the application can be implemented with less, or if Federal 
funding is not sufficient to fully fund all successful applications. 
CCC also reserves the right to deny an otherwise worthwhile application 
if the success of the application is dependent upon an amount of 
funding that is not available.
    We will notify grant applicants of awards as soon as possible after 
the applications have been reviewed. We expect to complete the review 
by early January 2001. CCC will provide funding for approved grant 
applications upon receipt of a properly executed grant agreement and 
subject to available funding.

    Dated: October 30, 2000.
August Schumacher, Jr.,
President, Commodity Credit Corporation.
[FR Doc. 00-28201 Filed 10-30-00; 4:41 pm]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P