Nearly 50,000 Utah elementary students from low-income schools throughout the state have received a great opportunity provided through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.
The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program provides all children in participating schools with a variety of free fresh fruits and vegetables outside of the lunch period.
The goal of the program is to:
- Create healthier school environments by providing healthier food choices.
- Expand the variety of fruits and vegetables children experience.
- Increase children’s fruit and vegetable consumption.
- Make a difference in children’s diets to impact their present and future health.
- Introduce healthy snack options.
Funding for the program comes from the USDA Farm Bill for the National School Lunch Program. Utah’s total funding for the program is 2.5 million dollars and it is available through an application process. Preference is given to schools with low income households.
