The Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program Produce Prescription Program

The Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program Produce Prescription Program is administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture within the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This federal funding opportunity is designed to support projects that integrate healthcare systems with food systems by prescribing fresh fruits and vegetables to eligible individuals. The program is rooted in legislative authority under federal statute and reflects USDA priorities related to improving public health, strengthening agricultural markets, and supporting food and nutrition security. The initiative emphasizes collaboration between healthcare providers and community organizations to address diet-related health conditions and food insecurity. The primary purpose of the program is to demonstrate and evaluate the impact of produce prescription projects on three key outcomes: improved dietary health through increased fruit and vegetable consumption, reduced food insecurity at the individual and household level, and decreased healthcare utilization and associated costs. Projects must involve prescribing only fresh fruits and vegetables and include partnerships with healthcare entities such as hospitals, federally qualified health centers, or healthcare provider groups. These partnerships are essential for screening participants, tracking health outcomes, and evaluating program effectiveness. Funding for the program is approximately 5.28 million dollars for the fiscal year, with an anticipated 11 awards and a maximum award amount of 500,000 dollars per project. Projects may span up to three years. While there is no required cost sharing or matching component, applicants are encouraged to leverage additional resources where possible. Funds must be used in accordance with federal cost principles, and certain restrictions apply, including limits on subawarding and requirements related to indirect cost rates. Program funds are intended to support implementation, evaluation, and participant incentives such as produce prescriptions. Eligibility is limited to governmental agencies and nonprofit organizations. Applicants must demonstrate formal partnerships with healthcare providers and include letters of support outlining each partner’s role in project implementation and evaluation. Additional collaborators may include community organizations, food retailers, agricultural producers, and other stakeholders, although only the lead applicant must meet eligibility requirements. Projects must also ensure compliance with federal nutrition program rules, particularly if Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program transactions are involved. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov, and applicants must follow detailed instructions outlined in the funding announcement and the NIFA Grants Application Guide. Required components include a project summary, a comprehensive project narrative not exceeding 15 pages, a logic model, business plan, data management plan, and letters of support. The application must clearly describe project goals, implementation strategies, evaluation methods, and sustainability plans. Applications are evaluated through a peer review process based on criteria such as community benefit, project design, organizational capacity, evaluation rigor, and sustainability. The application deadline for this funding cycle is July 16, 2026, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. The program is recurring on an annual basis, with similar deadlines expected in future years. Awards are typically issued before the end of the federal fiscal year, and projects must begin shortly thereafter. Applicants may contact program staff via designated email addresses for technical or administrative questions, and additional support resources are available through the Nutrition Incentive Hub, which offers training and technical assistance to applicants. Overall, this program represents a strategic federal effort to bridge healthcare and nutrition interventions, leveraging partnerships and evidence-based approaches to improve health outcomes while supporting local food systems. Successful applicants will demonstrate strong collaboration, clear evaluation plans, and the ability to implement scalable and sustainable produce prescription models.

Strong applications clearly demonstrate healthcare partnerships, measurable health outcomes, and robust evaluation plans aligned with program goals; emphasize community need and sustainability