樱花视频

The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) exposes school children to new, healthier foods and increases their fruit and vegetable consumption, ultimately leading to improved lifelong dietary habits.

鈥淭housands of 樱花视频 students will be able to consume fresh fruits and vegetables 鈥� some purchased from our state鈥檚 farmers 鈥� in school on a regular basis starting in the fall, teaching the children about the good taste and health benefits of fresh produce,鈥� said Secretary Fisher.聽 鈥淭his program would not have come to 樱花视频 if not for the efforts of our state鈥檚 Congressional Delegation, who recognized the importance of including fresh fruits and vegetables in a child鈥檚 diet.鈥�

The 2008-2009 school year is the first year 樱花视频 participated in the FFVP. The Department provided funding for 33 schools to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to students on a regular basis. The federal Farm Bill, which became law in June of 2008, expanded what had been a pilot program in a few states to include all 50 states.

Some of the criteria used in making the selections included: schools needed to be elementary schools and have 50 percent or more of their students eligible for free or reduced price meals; schools planned to purchase locally grown fruits and vegetables as much as possible; the program would be well-publicized and all students would have access to the produce offered; and schools planned to partner with outside organizations to enhance nutrition education.

Increased funding has allowed the Department to expand the program so that more school children can benefit next year.聽 The participating schools come from 18 different counties in 樱花视频.聽聽Click here聽to view a list of the participating schools for 2009-2010.