Q&A Document_TradIndigFoods.pdf

Updated February 21, 2024

Questions and Answers on the Supporting the Use of Traditional Indigenous Foods in the Child Nutrition Programs Cooperative Agreement Request for Applications

Please refer to the Request for Applications and watch the recorded Informational Webinar for more detailed information.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DEFINITIONS

ELIGIBILITY

DATES, PURPOSE, AND OBJECTIVES

PERSONNEL, STAFFING, AND PARTNERSHIPS

FUNDING AND BUDGET

APPLICATION

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

DEFINITIONS

Please refer to Appendix A – Defini�ons (page 41-44 of the Request for Applica�ons) for a full list of defini�ons.

Q: What is a “School Food Authority (SFA)?”

A: An SFA is the governing body that is responsible for the administra�on of one or more schools and has the legal authority to operate Federal school meal programs therein or is otherwise approved by USDA Food and Nutri�on Service to operate Federal school meal programs. In most states, the SFAs are school districts. Contact your state agency at htps://www.fns.usda.gov/fns-contacts to find your local SFAs. If the Lead Applicant en�ty is not an SFA, they must partner with one or more SFAs to increase the use of tradi�onal Indigenous foods in Child Nutri�on Programs.

Q: What is a “coopera�ve agreement?”

A: A coopera�ve agreement is federal assistance, in the form of money or property, authorized by federal law to support programs with a public purpose that the government wishes to encourage. A coopera�ve agreement includes substan�al programma�c involvement on the part of the agency, which in this case is USDA Food and Nutri�on Service.

https://www.fns.usda.gov/grant/cn-supporting-indigenous-foods-cooperative-agreement https://www.fns.usda.gov/grant/cn-supporting-indigenous-foods-cooperative-agreement https://www.fns.usda.gov/fns-contacts

Q: What is “crediting?”

A: Credi�ng refers to how a food item contributes toward the meal patern requirements in Child Nutri�on Programs. The Food Buying Guide for Child Nutri�on Programs is the primary technical assistance resource used to assist in determining the specific contribu�on a food item makes toward the meal patern requirements. This is necessary to ensure that meals provide balanced nourishment and meet program requirements for reimbursement.

Q: Which tribes cons�tute the “Federally Recognized Tribes?”

A: There are a total of 347 Federally Recognized Tribes within the con�guous 48 states and 227 federally recognized tribal en��es within the state of Alaska that comprise the 574 Federally Recognized Tribes of the United States. The Indian en��es are recognized to have the immuni�es and privileges available to Federally Recognized Tribes by virtue of their Government-to-Government rela�onship with the United States as well as the responsibili�es, powers, limita�ons, and obliga�ons of such Indian Tribes.

Q: Who is a “Na�ve Hawaiian?”

A: A Na�ve Hawaiian is any individual who is a descendant of the aboriginal people who, prior to 1778, occupied and exercised sovereignty in the area that now cons�tutes the State of Hawaii.

Q: What is “tradi�onal Indigenous food?”

A: As per the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2014 (25 U.S.C. 1685(b)(5)) the term ‘‘tradi�onal food’’ means food that has tradi�onally been prepared and consumed by an Indian Tribe. The term ‘‘tradi�onal food’’ includes — wild game meat, fish, seafood, marine mammals, plants, and berries. In general, tradi�onal Indigenous foods are local, seasonal, nutri�ous, and environmentally friendly, and include herbs and medicinal plants. Certain tradi�onal Indigenous foods are not only seen as nourishment but also as a connec�on to Mother Earth and to ancestral knowledge. It is important to recognize that there are many dis�nct cultural groups in different geographic regions across the na�on and every na�on sees themselves as an independent na�on with their own language, culture, and customs.

Q: What is meant by a “regional approach?”

A: There are 574 Federally Recognized Tribes of the United States and nearly a quarter of Hawaiian residents are Na�ve Hawaiian. Each community has its own rich and diverse culture and food tradi�ons; thus, a local/regional approach will ensure that the needs of the specific tribes being served are addressed through the projects funded under this Request for Applica�on. Eligible applicants must propose a project that supports School Food Authori�es serving students from Federally Recognized Tribes and/or Na�ve Hawaiians from a specified region of the con�guous United States, Alaska, or Hawaii (regions may, but are not required to, https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/food-buying-guide-for-child-nutrition-programs https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/01/08/2024-00109/indian-entities-recognized-by-and-eligible-to-receive-services-from-the-united-states-bureau-of https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/01/08/2024-00109/indian-entities-recognized-by-and-eligible-to-receive-services-from-the-united-states-bureau-of https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2022-title25/pdf/USCODE-2022-title25-chap18-subchapVI-sec1685.pdf https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/01/08/2024-00109/indian-entities-recognized-by-and-eligible-to-receive-services-from-the-united-states-bureau-of correspond to USDA FNS regions). Approaches serving mul�ple tribes are encouraged, and applicants are encouraged to serve high numbers of tribal students.

Q: What is meant by “leadership staff?”

A: The Request for Applica�on (RFA) refers to the “leadership and staff” of the Lead Applicant en�ty, not the "leadership staff.” The organiza�on that is applying as the Lead Applicant en�ty, must be led and primarily staffed by members of Federally Recognized Tribes and/or Na�ve Hawaiians. The RFA does not specify which staff members must be members of Federally Recognized Tribes and/or Na�ve Hawaiians. The primary focus is that the Lead Applicant en�ty is led and primarily (more than 50%) staffed by members of the men�oned groups.

ELIGIBILITY

Q: If an en�ty has a current or past record of receiving USDA Grants, can they apply for this coopera�ve agreement?

A: Past or current funding from USDA does not preclude you from applying for this coopera�ve agreement. Funds awarded for this coopera�ve agreement may not support ac�vi�es that are funded through another funding source. All project ac�vi�es must be unique to this coopera�ve agreement.

Q: Who is eligible to apply for this coopera�ve agreement as the Lead Applicant en�ty?

A: Lead applicant en��es must meet criteria A, B, and C below:

A) En�ty must be one of the following en�ty types:

• 501(c)(3) non-profit organiza�on

• School Food Authority that par�cipates in the Na�onal School Lunch Program

• Tribal government owned en�ty, arm, or instrumentality

• Na�ve Hawaiian Organiza�on as recognized by the Department of the Interior

• Other non-governmental en�ty including Tribal Colleges & Universi�es

• Fiscal sponsor of any of the above eligible en��es

B) The leadership and staff of the en�ty must be predominantly (more than 50%) members of Federally Recognized Tribes and/or Na�ve Hawaiians. (In the case of a fiscal sponsorship, this provision applies to the fiscally sponsored en�ty. In the case of partnerships, this provision applies to the Lead Applicant en�ty, but the Lead Applicant en�ty may have non-qualifying partners).

AND

C) The en�ty must demonstrate exis�ng rela�onships, experience and exper�se in training, technical assistance, school nutri�on, Indigenous foods, and nutri�on educa�on.

Please refer to Sec�on 3.1 – Eligible Applicants (pages 18-19 of the Request for Applica�ons) for detailed informa�on.

Q: Who is eligible to be a partner (not the Lead Applicant en�ty) in this coopera�ve agreement?

A: The en�ty types listed in Criteria A above can serve as partners. Criteria B does not apply to partners.

Please refer to Sec�on 3.2 - Partnerships (page 19 of the Request for Applica�ons) for detailed informa�on.

Q: Can en��es in the U.S. Territories apply for the coopera�ve agreement?

A: No. En��es in the U.S. Territories are not eligible. The project must support School Food Authori�es serving students from Federally Recognized Tribes and/or Na�ve Hawaiians in the con�guous United States, Alaska, or Hawaii. Please refer to Sec�on 3.1 – Eligible Applicants (pages 18-19 of the Request for Applica�ons) for detailed informa�on.

DATES, PURPOSE, AND OBJECTIVES

Q: What are the important dates to be aware of?

A: Below is a list of important dates:

• Leter of Intent (op�onal) due date: 11:59 pm EST on February 19, 2024

• Applica�on due date: 11:59 pm EST on March 18, 2024

• An�cipated award announcement date: April 2024

• An�cipated period of performance (start and end date of the award): May 1, 2024 - April

30, 2026

Please refer to Sec�on 2 - Federal Award Informa�on (page 13 of the Request for Applica�ons) for detailed informa�on.

Q: What is the purpose of this cooperative agreement?

A: The purpose of this coopera�ve agreement is to provide tailored training and technical assistance (TA) to School Food Authori�es that serve tribal communi�es and par�cipate in the Na�onal School Lunch Program (NSLP). Funds may be used to provide training, TA, and nutri�on educa�on to support the use of tradi�onal Indigenous foods in the NSLP, School

Breakfast Program, Summer Food Service Program, Seamless Summer Op�on, and/or Child and Adult Care Food Program At-Risk A�erschool Meals. The cooperators, with USDA Food and Nutri�on Service guidance and approval, will also develop culturally relevant nutri�on educa�on materials for students to accompany the tradi�onal Indigenous foods that are served, and the cooperators will train school nutri�on professionals and other school staff on providing nutri�on educa�on to students. Please refer to Sec�on 1.2 – Program Descrip�on (pages 6-8 of the Request for Applica�ons) for detailed informa�on.

Q: What are the key objec�ves of this funding opportunity?

A: There are six key objec�ves that must be met as part of this coopera�ve agreement. The seventh objec�ve is op�onal.

1. Gather informa�on on barriers to including tradi�onal Indigenous foods in Child Nutri�on Programs (CNP) and strengths and challenges related to training and technical assistance (TA) (using past feedback obtained through consulta�on and other channels, to the extent possible), provide a report to USDA Food and Nutri�on Service (FNS), and u�lize informa�on gained to inform project implementa�on.

2. Provide culturally appropriate training and TA to meet the unique needs of school nutri�on professionals who procure, prepare, and serve meals for tribal communi�es – drawing on the exper�se of school nutri�on professionals and others from the tribal communi�es being served. 50% or more of those providing training and TA for staff must be members of Federally Recognized Tribes and/or Na�ve Hawaiians.

3. Market and distribute cooperator and FNS-developed resources, tools, and trainings through culturally appropriate avenues.

4. Develop culturally relevant nutri�on educa�on materials for students to accompany the tradi�onal Indigenous foods that are served as part of their meals; train school nutri�on professionals and other school staff on providing culturally relevant nutri�on educa�on to students; and ensure that nutri�on educa�on is delivered to students. 50% or more of those providing nutri�on educa�on directly to students must be members of Federally Recognized Tribes and/or Na�ve Hawaiians.

5. Support the establishment of new procurement rela�onships; supply chain development/coordina�on; development, standardizing, and tes�ng of new recipes;

and/or increased engagement of students and their parents/caregivers, school nutri�on professionals, other school staff, and tribal partners in increasing tradi�onal Indigenous foods in the meals served through the CNP.

6. Facilitate a regional Community of Prac�ce of school nutri�on professionals from tribal serving schools to share best prac�ces, collaborate, and learn from each other.

7. (OPTIONAL) Provide funding in the form of sub-grants to School Food Authori�es par�cipa�ng in the Na�onal School Lunch Program to support them in the implementa�on of concepts learned through training and TA.

Please refer to Sec�on 1.2 – Key Objec�ves (pages 9-10 of the Request for Applica�ons) for detailed informa�on.

Q: Can this funding be utilized to support the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)?

A: This funding is specifically designated to support School Food Authorities (SFA) that participate in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). Funds cannot be used to support the CACFP offered through child care centers or family child care homes. However, if an SFA that participates in NSLP also participates in the CACFP At-Risk Afterschool Meals (CACFP At-Risk) program, the funds may be used to support the inclusion of traditional Indigenous foods in meals or snacks provided through the CACFP At-Risk program.

Q: Can this coopera�ve agreement be used to support the inclusion of tradi�onal Indigenous foods in university dining services?

A: No. This funding is specifically designated to support School Food Authori�es that par�cipate in the Na�onal School Lunch Program.

Q: Who may receive training and technical assistance under this cooperative agreement?

A: Staff of any School Food Authority (SFA) that serves students from Federally Recognized Tribes and/or Native Hawaiians, regardless of location (on or off reservation) or management structure (tribally controlled, run by the Bureau of Indian Education, or run as an independent school district), may receive training and technical assistance under this agreement. The SFAs that are supported through this cooperative agreement must participate in the National School Lunch Program.

Q: If a tribal government wishes to apply for this grant, is it a requirement for the tribe to be par�cipa�ng in the Na�onal School Lunch Program (NSLP)?

A: The tribe does not need to par�cipate in the NSLP. School Food Authori�es to be supported under the coopera�ve agreement must par�cipate in NSLP.

PERSONNEL, STAFFING, AND PARTNERSHIPS

Q: Can en��es include subcontractors in their applica�on?

A: While the Lead Applicant en�ty will be responsible for managing the programma�c and financial aspects of the coopera�ve agreement, the Lead Applicant en�ty may u�lize subcontractors to complete some por�on of the work. However, at least 50% of those delivering training or technical assistance to staff and nutri�on educa�on to students must be members of the Federally Recognized Tribes and/or Na�ve Hawaiians.

Q: Can en��es include partners in their applica�on?

A: The Lead Applicant en�ty may involve partners to accomplish the ac�vi�es outlined in this Request for Applica�on. The USDA FNS recognizes the poten�al benefits of leveraging the strengths and capaci�es of different en��es through partnerships. In the applica�on, the applying en�ty should describe any planned or exis�ng partnerships that will contribute to the coopera�ve agreement. However, at least 50% of those delivering training or technical assistance to staff and nutri�on educa�on to students must be members of the Federally Recognized Tribes and/or Na�ve Hawaiians.

Q: Can a Lead Applicant en�ty serve as a partner on another en�ty’s applica�on?

A: Yes. The Lead Applicant en�ty may serve as a partner on another en�ty’s applica�on;

however, their work on the partner applica�on must be en�rely dis�nct from the project for which they are the Lead Applicant en�ty. En��es cannot receive funding from more than one funding source for the same exact work.

Q: Can an en�ty serve as a partner on more than one applica�on?

A: Yes. An en�ty may serve as a partner on more than one applica�on; however, they may not receive funding through more than one applica�on for the exact same work.

Q: How many partners must the Lead Applicant en�ty have?

A: There is no minimum or maximum requirement for the number of partners the Lead Applicant en�ty must have. If the Lead Applicant en�ty is not a School Food Authority (SFA), they must partner with one or more SFAs to increase the use of tradi�onal Indigenous foods in the Child Nutri�on Programs.

Q: Are the partners required to be members of Federally Recognized Tribes and/or Na�ve Hawaiians?

A: The partners do not have to be members of a Federally Recognized Tribe and/or Na�ve Hawaiian. This requirement applies only to the Lead Applicant en�ty.

Q: Will there be a list of school nutri�on programs that require training, or is it necessary to conduct outreach to iden�fy them?

A: No, a list of school nutri�on programs that require training will not be provided. Applicants are expected to have exis�ng rela�onships or form partnerships with school nutri�on programs in their communi�es. Outreach efforts may be necessary to iden�fy school nutri�on programs in need of training.

Q: Is it required that the Project Director be on staff at the �me of applica�on?

A: No. The Project Director does not have to be on staff at the �me of the applica�on. If the Project Director is already hired, the applicant should include their resume in the appendices. If the Project Director has not been hired, the applicant should include a job descrip�on in the appendices and must hire the Project Director within six months of the beginning of the period of performance. Please refer to page 23 of the Request for Applica�ons for detailed informa�on.

Q: Is it required that the Project Director be an employee of the Lead Applicant en�ty?

A: No. The Project Director must meet all the requirements listed within the Request for Applica�ons; however, they do not need to be an employee of the Lead Applicant en�ty.

Q: To which entity(ies) does the requirement for the leadership and staff of the entity to be predominantly members of the Federally Recognized Tribes and/or Native Hawaiians apply?

A: The requirement that the entity be led and primarily staffed by members of the Federally Recognized Tribes and/or Native Hawaiians applies to the Lead Applicant entity. Partner entities do not have to meet this requirement. Eligible applicants must propose a project that supports School Food Authorities serving students from Federally Recognized Tribes and/or Native Hawaiians from a specified region of the contiguous United States, Alaska, or Hawaii. The requirement that the entity be led and primarily staffed by members of Federally Recognized Tribes and/or Native Hawaiians does not apply to the School Food Authorities (SFA) to be supported through this cooperative agreement. The funding may be used to support SFAs that operate the National School Lunch Program regardless of location (on or off reservation) or management structure (tribally controlled, run by the Bureau of Indian Education, or run as an independent school district).

Q: Will a list of applicants who submited a Leter of Intent (LOI) be published for others to seek poten�al partnerships for this coopera�ve agreement?

A: No. The list of applicants who submited a LOI will not be published for others to seek poten�al partnerships.

Q: Do we need to have a documented agreement with the school or School Food Authority (SFA) if we are providing training in schools?

A: We strongly encourage you to submit a Leter of Support (LOS) from any SFA that you plan to work with. Each SFA may have different documenta�on requirements to work with the schools.

FUNDING AND BUDGET

Q: Can an en�ty request less than $250,000 or more than $500,000 in funding?

A: No. An en�ty may only request between $250,000 and $500,000.

Q: Can the Lead Applicant en�ty receive more than one award?

A: No. The Lead Applicant en�ty may not receive more than one award. If mul�ple applica�on packages are submited through Grants.gov by the same applicant in response to this solicita�on, FNS will accept the latest applica�on package successfully submited. All other packages submited by the applicant will be removed from this compe��on.

Q: Will this be funding opportunity be offered in Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 as well?

A: This funding opportunity is currently only available in FY2024. FNS’ commitment to con�nua�on of awards will be condi�oned on the availability of funds and the determina�on that con�nued funding is in the best interest of the Federal government.

Q: Is food an allowable expense?

A: Yes. Food is an allowable expense. However, food costs may not exceed ten (10) percent of the requested funds. Food purchases must only be for training purposes, including culinary or food safety trainings for school nutri�on professionals, recipe development, recipe tes�ng, or student engagement ac�vi�es such as taste tests.

Food purchases cannot be used for:

• foods used to prepare a meal for which reimbursement will be provided under the FNS nutri�on assistance programs.

• foods used as an incen�ve or prize for a nutri�on educa�on event.

• foods provided directly to students and families to prepare and eat at home such as groceries or supplemental food.

• meal sized por�ons or complete meal service.

• alcoholic beverages.

• meals or snacks for training or mee�ng atendees, unless approved in advance in accordance with 2 CFR 200.432 - Conferences.

Please refer to page 16 of the Request for Applica�ons for detailed informa�on.

Q: Is equipment (>$5000) an allowable expense?

A: No. Equipment (>$5000) is not an allowable expense under this coopera�ve agreement.

Supplies (<$5,000) necessary for food storage, prepara�on, produc�on, and display of food prepared for training purposes or taste tests, including, but not limited to, food storage containers, pots/pans, mixing bowls, knives, utensils, measuring cups, and tabletop cooking devices (e.g., food processor, stand mixer) are allowable expenses.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRed1f39f9b3d4e72/section-200.432

APPLICATION

Q: Who is considered the “Lead Applicant en�ty?”

A: The Lead Applicant en�ty is the organiza�on that submits the applica�on for the coopera�ve agreement. If the Lead Applicant en�ty is not a School Food Authority (SFA), they must partner with one or more SFAs to increase the use of tradi�onal Indigenous foods in the Child Nutri�on Programs.

Q: Can I email or mail my applica�on?

A: No. Applica�ons must be submited online through Grants.gov, the official federal e-grant website, which has all the required forms and instruc�ons posted for this announcement.

Applica�ons received via mail or email will not be accepted.

Q: Is there guidance on using Grants.gov to apply?

A: Guidance on using Grants.gov to apply is included on pages 28-30 of the Request for Applica�ons. For addi�onal resources, including video tutorials, visit grants.gov/applicants/applicant-training.

Q: What should be included in the applica�on?

A: Guidance on what should be included in your applica�on can be found on the Applica�on Checklist (pages 2-3 of the Request for Applica�ons (RFA)) and in Sec�on 4 - Applica�on and Submission Informa�on (pages 20-27 of the RFA).

Q: Our Unique En�ty Iden�fier (UEI) is associated with our school district. Is that considered the Lead Applicant en�ty, or could it be our Food Services Department?

A: The school district would be the Lead Applicant en�ty, not the Food Services Department.

The Food Services Department does not have a unique UEI.

Q: Is the Leter of Intent (LOI) required?

A: No. The LOI is op�onal. It is intended to provide USDA FNS with an es�mate of the number of poten�al applicants for planning purposes. You are not required to submit a LOI to apply and submi�ng one does not obligate you to apply. Please refer to page 27 of the Request for Applica�ons for detailed informa�on.

Q: What should be included in the Leter of Intent (LOI?)

A. There is an LOI template within the Request for Applica�ons and available on Grants.gov under the Related Documents tab. Applicants must u�lize this template for their LOI.

https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/351870 https://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant-training https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/351870

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

Q: Is a recording of the informa�onal webinar available?

A: Yes. The recording of the informa�onal webinar is posted on the Team Nutri�on website at htps://www.fns.usda.gov/grant/cn-suppor�ng-indigenous-foods-coopera�ve-agreement. It can also be accessed under the Related Documents tab in Grants.gov.

Q: Is there technical assistance available for poten�al applicants?

A: Yes. You may contact the Intertribal Agriculture Council’s Technical Assistance Network for technical assistance with your applica�on. Please reach out to Ashley Geravis at ashley@indianag.org or (406) 214-6242.

Q: What type of support is offered by the Intertribal Agriculture Council’s Technical Assistance Network (ITAN)?

A: ITAN can provide support to poten�al applicants with designing their projects, connec�ng with partners, and composing applica�ons. ITAN will not write applica�ons for other en��es.

Q: If a new vendor of Indigenous foods wants to access the current prices offered by the Department of Defense (DoD) to distributors, to assess poten�al profitability and the ability to cover the cost of goods sold, can those item price lists be shared?

A: No, the price lists will not be shared. The price of produce delivered through USDA DoD Fresh is based on a long-term contract (3-5 years). The price includes the vendor’s distribu�on costs to provide up to weekly deliveries to all par�cipa�ng schools, Indian Tribal Organiza�ons, and military customers in that state. The contract requires the vendor have a Perishable Agricultural Commodi�es Act license, be able to offer a full line of U.S. grown produce items that meet U.S.

No. 1 or beter specifica�ons, and food safety requirement (Good Agricultural Prac�ces, Good Manufacturing Principles, Defense logis�cs Agency Produce Quality Audit).

Consider using the commercial price a school pays for produce they procure from a distributor or local farmer. This price more accurately reflects the market price to analyze the profit and cost of goods sold to use as a basis of a business decision. Another helpful resource to obtain current market prices of produce is USDA Market News htps://mymarketnews.ams.usda.gov/ https://www.fns.usda.gov/grant/cn-supporting-indigenous-foods-cooperative-agreement https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/351870 https://www.indianag.org/technicalassistance mailto:ashley@indianag.org https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmymarketnews.ams.usda.gov%2F&data=05%7C02%7CNancy.Katz%40usda.gov%7Cb5e350a2d0584a4b240308dc2e2d3ca2%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C1%7C0%7C638436019034962147%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=UFG64ry2zj9r8jwmQVuLsEn4H65iv1yelUIXQ0AbOmo%3D&reserved=0