Creating a huge opportunity for the fresh and fresh-cut produce industry to capitalize on sales to schools, the European Commission's DG-AGRI is making €90 million available annually as matching funds for EU countries to provide daily fruit and vegetable snacks to school children. 24 of the 27 EU countries submitted applications this week for portions of that funding to either start or expand School Fruit and Vegetable Schemes in their countries by the start of the school year with the goal of reversing declining fruit and vegetable consumption among European children.

Including each country's financial match, €156 million will be available during the 2009-10 school year. Only three countries - Sweden, Finland and Latvia – did not apply for funding.

United Fresh, along with our colleagues at FreshFel and European public health organizations, advocated for funding to expand the program to all EU countries as an effective strategy to increase children’s fruit and vegetable intake.

Additional information is available on DR AGRI's website. For more information, contact United Fresh vice president of nutrition and health, Dr. Lorelei DiSogra at 202-303-3400.