Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program

Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program

MENU & NUTRITION EDUCTION

*Subject to change based on availability

Week of August 26th:

• Fruit: Pineapple – nutrition education here
• Veg: Rainbow Carrots – nutrition education here

Week of September 2nd:

• Fruit: No School
• Veg: Purple Cauliflower – nutrition education here

Week of September 9th:

• Fruit: Cantaloupe Chunks – nutrition education here
• Veg: Sugar Snap Peas – nutrition education here

Week of September 16th:

• Fruit: Brown Turkey Figs – nutrition education here
• Veg: Jicama Sticks – nutrition education here

Week of September 23rd:

• Fruit: Watermelon Chunks – nutrition education here
• Veg: Zucchini Sticks – nutrition education here

Week of September 30th:

• Fruit: Pink Pineapple – nutrition education here

Commonly Asked Questions:

1. What is the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program? The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) is a federally assisted program providing free fresh fruits and vegetables to children at eligible elementary schools during the school day. The goal of the FFVP is to introduce children to fresh fruits and vegetables, to include new and different varieties, and to increase overall acceptance and consumption of fresh, unprocessed produce among children. The FFVP also encourages healthier school environments by promoting nutrition education. To learn more, visit the FFVP webpage: https://www.fns.usda.gov/ffvp/fresh-fruitand-vegetable-program.
2. Who administers the FFVP? The Food and Nutrition Service of the United States Department of Agriculture administers the FFVP at the Federal level. At the State level, the FFVP is administered by State agencies, which operate the Program through agreements with local school food authorities. State agency contact information is available at: https://www. fns.usda.gov/school-meals/school-meals-contacts.
3. What schools are eligible to participate in the FFVP? Elementary schools in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the territories of Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands are eligible to participate. Schools must operate the National School Lunch Program in order to operate the FFVP. Importantly, the FFVP prioritizes schools with the highest percentage of children certified as eligible for free and reduced price meals. This is because children from low-income families generally have fewer opportunities to consume fresh produce on a regular basis.
4. What are the requirements for FFVP implementation? Participating elementary schools are required to publicize the availability of the FFVP, and must serve the fresh fruits and vegetables outside the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program meal service times. Beyond these requirements, schools have flexibility in determining their implementation plan. Schools may select the type of produce served, decide the number of days per week to serve the produce (though schools are strongly encouraged to serve a minimum of two days per week), and choose the time outside the breakfast and lunch meal service to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to children.
5. What types of fruits and vegetables must be served under the FFVP? The Food and Nutrition Service encourages schools to serve a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. Because the intent of the FFVP is to introduce children to new and different fresh fruits and vegetables, the produce must be served in a way that it is easily identifiable. This encourages children to enjoy fruits and vegetables “as they are.”