This Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the purchase of over $4 million in fresh-cut sliced apples for national school lunch programs.
This
initial purchase represents the start of a pilot program in five states
that will run until the end of this school year. The program will test
the feasibility of purchasing and delivering fresh and fresh-cut fruits
and vegetables to schools. It is anticipated that purchases for
fresh-cut sliced apples will be expanded for next school year and baby
carrots will also be available. The first fresh-cut sliced apples will
be delivered to schools starting tomorrow, March 27th.
Those companies receiving contracts include:
- Farmington Fresh Sales LLC, Stockton, Calif.
- Fresh Innovations of California, Oxnard, Calif.
- Global Purveyors LLC, Mountain View, Calif.
- Peterson Farms, Inc., Shelby, Mich.
- The HMS Group Marketing Inc., Kingsburg, Calif.
United
Fresh would like to recognize the many fresh-cut apple companies that
have collaborated with USDA/AMS over the last 2 years to make this
pilot a reality; as the purchases expand next school year more
companies in the industry are expected to participate and benefit.
For more information about the USDA fresh cut sliced apple program, contact United vice president of nutrition and health Dr. Lorelei DiSogra at (202) 303-3400.
