The United Fresh Produce Association has backed news from US agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is funding the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Programme (FFVP) with US$158m during the next school year.
Designed to provide a free fruit or vegetable snack to elementary school children, the FFVP covers all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, with increased funding allowing the programme to serve an expanded number of schools and students.
The announcement is particularly impactful for United Fresh, the group noted, given the association's work to secure over US$1.2bn in funding that was allocated for the programme in the 2008 Farm Bill.
'This expansion in funding is such a huge win for kids across the country,' said United Fresh vice-president on nutrition and health Dr Lorelei DiSogra. 'The additional monies will increase the number of elementary school students that receive a fresh fruit or vegetable snack at school each day to approximately 4m, which is just amazing.
'This programme provides exposure to a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables every day, expanding kids' horizons and increasing their daily consumption of healthy, fresh fruits and vegetables,' she added.
United Fresh has been at the forefront of the drive for fresh fruit and vegetables in school meals and nutritional programmes, was instrumental in funding for the FFVP in the Farm Bill, has worked to increase the amount of produce offered in meals through the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programmes, and has led the charge on Let's Move Salad Bars to Schools.
'Kids love the fresh fruit and vegetable snacks that they receive every day through FFVP,' Ms DiSogra added. 'This programme is very popular. It's a hit with the kids, with the parents and with the schools, and it's having an undeniably positive effect not only on the way kids eat at school but also on their eating habits at home.'
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