USDA's Food and Nutrition Service recently released the state funding allocations for the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Snack Program (FFVP) for the 2009-10 school year. In total, $72.5 million is available for next school year. With 40% more funding available for next year, every state will fund a significant number of new schools to participate and many states are already in the process of selecting additional schools.

"This is a great opportunity for the produce industry," said Dr. Lorelei DiSogra, United's vice president of nutrition and health. "Produce businesses now have a unique chance to partner with funded schools to provide high quality fresh fruits and vegetable that children will enjoy eating."

The FFVP is an effective school-based strategy aimed at increasing children's consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables in order to improve their health and reduce their risk of obesity. Participating schools receive federal funds to provide a fresh fruit and/or vegetable snack to all students for free every day at school. United Fresh has led the charge in this effort, advocating for Congress to expand FFVP nationwide in the 2008 Farm Bill.

The 2008 Farm Bill provided $1.2 billion in mandatory funding for the nationwide implementation of FFVP, and approximately $49 million in federal funds were made available this school year, reaching over one million students in 1,300 schools.

To learn more about the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Snack Program, visit the United Fresh website, or contact United Fresh Vice President of Nutrition and Health, Lorelei DiSogra at (202) 303-3400.