USDA Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) 2021 Request for Applications (RFA) Overview

USDA Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP)
              2021 Request for Applications (RFA) Overview

The 2018 Farm Bill (Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018) reauthorizes a competitive
grant program, formerly known as the Food Insecurity Nutrition Initiative (FINI), within
USDA to support programs that provide fruit and vegetable incentives to participants
in the SNAP program. There is a total of $250 million available for these programs
over the course of 2019 to 2023. The anticipated amount for FY 2021 is
approximately $41.6 million. Grants are administered by USDA National Institute of
Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Applications are due by 5pm ET on March 16 April
15, 2021.

Types of Grants: There are four grant types based on project size and duration.
  1. GusNIP Pilot Projects (FPP): SNAP Incentive project grants of up to $100,000
     over a period of one year. Aimed at new entrants seeking funding for a project
     in the early stages of incentive program development.
  2. GusNIP Projects (FIP): SNAP Incentive project grants of up to $500,000 total
     over a period of up to four years. Aimed at mid-sized groups developing
     incentive programs at the local or state level.
  3. GusNIP Large Scale Projects (FLSP): SNAP Incentive project grants of at least
     $500,000 total over a period of up to four years. Aimed at more established
     groups developing multi-county, state-wide, and regional incentive programs.
  4. Produce Prescription (PPR): Grants of up to $500,000 total over a period of up
     to three years. Total available for PPR is $4.8 million. No match is required.

Eligible entities: Lead applicant must be a government agency or non-profit
organization. Partner organizations may include farmers markets, health agencies,
emergency feeding organizations, economic development groups, grocery or corner
stores, tribal agencies, etc. Applicants may apply to both PPR and GusNIP but
must submit two distinct proposals.

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Match Funding: At the time of submission, applicant organizations must document
match funding equal to the amount of the federal grant. The match may be provided
in-kind with the exception of for-profit entities, which may not include employee
salaries or existing services to meet the match requirement. PPR grants do not
require a match. Tribal communities may use other federal resources
including Indian Health Services funds as match.

SNAP Incentive Requirements: Proposed projects must —
  •   increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables by low-income individuals
      participating in SNAP, by providing incentives at the point of purchase
  •   operate through authorized SNAP retailers, and comply with relevant SNAP
      regulations and operating requirements
  •   participate in the GusNIP comprehensive program evaluation, facilitate
      participation through data collection and sharing data with the Nutrition
      Incentive Program Training, Technical Assistance, Evaluation, and Information
      Center (NTAE)
  •   ensure that the same terms and conditions apply to purchases made by
      individuals using nutrition incentives and those not using nutrition incentives
  •   use effective and efficient technologies for benefit redemption. FSLP applications
      must also test innovative technologies to increase fruit and vegetable purchases
  •   have experience in efforts to reduce food insecurity in the community or the
      SNAP program
  •   not include a program design in which incentives are redeemed on any SNAP
      eligible food.

Produce Prescription Requirements: Proposed projects must —
  •   increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables by low-income individuals who
      are either eligible for SNAP benefits OR enrolled under a State health plan or
      waiver (Medicaid, Medicare, VA). Additionally, participants must be a member
      of a household that suffers from, or is at risk of developing, a diet-related
      health condition.
  •   participate in the GusNIP comprehensive program evaluation, facilitate
      participation through data collection and sharing data with the Nutrition
      Incentive Program Training, Technical Assistance, Evaluation, and
      Information Center (NTAE)
  •   ensure that the same terms and conditions apply to purchases made by
      individuals using nutrition incentives and those not using nutrition incentives

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•   include effective and efficient technologies for benefit redemption
  •   have experience in efforts to reduce food insecurity in the community or the
      SNAP program
  •   provide nutrition education to participants
  •   include documentation of a partnership agreement with a relevant State
      Medicaid agency, hospital, or clinic to evaluate the effectiveness of the project
      in reducing healthcare use and associated costs.

Priorities: Priority will be given to projects that —
  •   include a project design where the majority of incentives are earned when
      purchasing fruits or vegetables using SNAP benefits. Incentives must be
      redeemed on qualifying fruits and vegetables only.
  •   maximize the share of funds used for incentives. 51% or greater of total
      budget (federal + match) preferred
  •   market directly to SNAP consumers
  •   test innovative or promising strategies that would contribute to our
      understanding of how best to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables
      by SNAP participants, to inform future efforts
  •   involve a diversity of types of firms (e.g., convenience stores, supermarkets,
      farmers’ markets, etc)
  •   demonstrate a track record with nutrition incentives, agricultural producers,
      and underserved communities
  •   provide locally or regionally produced and fresh fruits and vegetables,
      especially those culturally appropriate for the target audience
  •   utilize a produce-for-produce program design
  •   demonstrate an ability to provide services in underserved and economically
      distressed communities, particularly Opportunity Zones
  •   coordinate with multiple stakeholders
  •   offer supplemental services in high needs communities, including online
      ordering, transportation between home and store, and delivery services
  •   include food retailers that are open for extended hours (40 hours/wk) and
      most days of the year (260 days/year)
  •   Use effective and efficient benefit redemption technologies

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Funding: There is a total of $250 million available for these programs over the course
of 2019 to 2023. Total funding FY 2021 is approximately $41.6 million. Of these funds,
$28.3 million is reserved for GusNIP projects, $4.8 million is reserved for PPR projects,
and $8.5 million is reserved for NTAE cooperative agreements.

Funding allocations guidelines for GusNIP and PPR projects:
   • Incentives ≥ 51%
   • Promotion, Outreach, and Advertising ≥ 5%
   • Administration (including recordkeeping and data collection, not including indirect
      costs) ≤ 20%

Definition of Fruits and Vegetables: Any variety of fresh, canned, dried, or frozen
whole or cut fruits and vegetables without added sugars, fats, oils, or salt.

Timing: Application deadline including documentation of matching funding by 5pm ET
on March 16 April 15, 2021. Funding decisions will be made by September 30, 2021.

How to Submit: Grants must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov.
Applicants must register with DUNS, SAM.gov, and Grants.gov in advance. A minimum
of two weeks is recommended between registration and application submission. Draft
applications may be entered on the site in advance of the deadline and then updated to
avoid last-minute technology snafus. More information on how to use the system can be
found in NIFA’s Grants.gov Application Guide.

Please visit NIFA’s GusNIP website for additional information, including GusNIP 2021’s
FAQs.

Programmatic Contacts

 Name                                  Email                            Telephone
 Dr. Mallory M. Koenings,              Mallory.Koenings@usda.gov        202-604-1985
 National Program Leader
 Dr. Helen Chipman,                    Helen.Chipman@usda.gov           202-701-3524
 National Program Leader
 Dr. Jaheon Koo,                       Jaheon.Koo@USDA.gov              816-642-1634
 Program Specialist

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Dr. Litha Tingi,                      Litha.Tingy@usda.gov        816-908-3311
 Program Specialist
 Dr. Katje Armentrout,                 Katje.Armentrout@usda.gov
 Program Specialist
 Michael Garcia, Program Analyst       Sm.fn.GusNIP@usda.gov       703-756-0224

Courier/Package Delivery Address
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
United States Department of Agriculture
2312 East Bannister Road, MS 10000
Kansas City, MO 64141-3061

   The Nutrition Incentive Program Training, Technical Assistance, Evaluation, and
   Information Center (NTAE) is supported by Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive
 Program grant no. 2019-70030-30415/project accession no. 1020863 from the USDA
                      National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

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