Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program
Take Action on This Issue Today!
For more than a decade, United Fresh has been the lead advocate for the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP). The FFVP provides four million students in our nation’s lowest income elementary schools with a fresh fruit or vegetable snack three to five days a week.
The FFVP increases student fruit and vegetable consumption, introduces them to a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, is very popular with school officials, parents and students, does not increase student’s caloric intake and is a catalyst for creating healthier school food environments. And, a recent study has demonstrated that the FFVP reduces childhood obesity in participating children. The World Health Organization recognizes the FFVP, School Fruit Scheme and Fruit at School, as effective global strategies to improve nutrition and reduce obesity.
For school year 2015-16, funding for FFVP is $177 million. FFVP schools collaborate with their produce distributors to provide students with a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables as snacks throughout the school year.
In 2015, an important priority for United Fresh is keeping the FFVP “fresh” as Congress reauthorizes all child nutrition programs.
United Fresh is pleased to provide our members with the lists of FFVP schools by state. For more information, contact Andrew Marshall at 202-303-3407.
United Fresh Action:
October 8, 2015 | Public Health Advocates Letter to Keep FFVP “Fresh”
More Information on FFVP:
Evaluation of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program – Final Evaluation Report
The Effect of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program on Childhood Obesity