Fruits & Vegetables

The USDA has started The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. It is a federally assisted program that provides all students in selected elementary schools either a free or reduced price of a wide variety of healthy fresh fruits and vegetables.

With the goal of improving children’s overall diet and creating healthier eating habits, to also impacting their present and future health The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program offers educational information as well federal assistance. They have created a tool kit which includes Webcasts, templates, PowerPoint presentations, fact sheets and resources from state agencies to help you build a successful Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program in your school.

The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program works by granting each school participating in the program between $50.00 ‐ $75.00 per student for the school year.   Fresh fruits and vegetables are purchased to serve free to students with these funds during the school day.  However, there are some guidelines involved.  The fruit and vegetables are not included in either breakfasts or lunches and  must be served in times between meals.

Here you can find State and Local Resources for your school:

http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/FFVP/Toolkit/FFVPfindresources.htm

These resources include menus, nutrition information, lesson plans and other fun facts.