Utah elementary schools will receive $3.45 million dollars in the 2022 Federal fiscal year to provide students with fresh fruit and vegetable snacks through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. The program provides children at low-income elementary schools with a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables during the school day, outside of the regular lunch and breakfast programs.
The goals of the program are to:
• Create healthier school environments by providing nutritious snack choices,
• Expand the variety of fruits and vegetables children experience, and
• Increase children’s fruit and vegetable consumption.
More than 49,000 Utah elementary students are set to benefit from the program this year. All students will receive the fresh fruits and vegetables at least twice per week throughout the school year.
Funding for FFVP comes from the USDA Farm Bill. Schools apply for the program in the spring, and preference is given to those with a high percentage of low-income students. Schools that demonstrate a high degree of excellence in operating the program also have the ability to apply for the FFVP VIP Award and receive a higher level of funding the following school year. VIP Award winners for this school year are Guadalupe School (a public charter school in Salt Lake City) and South Sanpete School District.
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
- mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; - fax: (202) 690-7442; or
- email: [email protected].
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
