Pilot program to provide fresh fruits, veggies for children in schools across United States

A new government pilot program that will provide school children free fresh fruits and vegetables got a boost when program partners met to discuss how this program will be implemented.

A July 24, 2002, meeting in Minneapolis MN, which included Barbara Berry, Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) vice-president of programs, outlined the pilot program designed to provide free fruits and vegetables to school children throughout the day. The program is on schedule for a fall launch. It will take place in Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio — with each state having 25 schools participating — as well as seven schools on one Indian reservation in New Mexico. United States Department of Agriculture money will provide each school an average estimated $50,000 to buy fruits and vegetables for the school year.

Schools will be able to purchase fruits and vegetables directly from local grower shippers, wholesalers, distributors, and brokers, and work with these produce vendors on various in-school partnerships, signage, nutritional materials, and promotions.

The idea for the program was first proposed by Sen Tom Harkin (D-IA), chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, at the United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association's Washington Public Policy Conference in 2001.

State officials are sending out applications to school districts within the four states that must be returned by August 15, with implementation expected to begin in October.

Earlier this year, PBH president Elizabeth Pivonka and United president Tom Stenzel announced a new partnership between PBH and United to work with the Bush administration and Congress to shape nutrition and health policy.

For more information about the school pilot program, phone either PBH at 302-235-2329 or United at 703-836-3410.