TN Department of Education Announces $1.4 M for Fruits and Veggies

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Education today announced $1.4 million in funding for the Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Program (FFVP) for the 2009-10 school year. These funds, provided by the United States Department of Agriculture, are to be used primarily to purchase, prepare and distribute fresh fruits and veggies at no charge to students 8th-grade and below.

“Tennessee schools already do an outstanding job of improving the health of students with school lunch, breakfast and after-school snack programs,” Education Commissioner Timothy Webb said. “The Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Program will only help support those ongoing efforts.”

The grants, made available July 1, allow schools to provide approved fruits and vegetables to students during the school day. For example fruits and vegetables must be fresh, not canned, frozen, or vacuum packed.

“Healthy habits that are encouraged early on can stay with a child through adulthood,” School Nutrition Director Sarah White said. “The earlier we can start teaching students about healthy eating, the better chance they will live a healthy lifestyle.”

The FFVP has been in place since last year and funding levels increase each year of operation. Each elementary school in Tennessee with a 50 percent or greater economically disadvantaged population will be eligible to apply, including schools that are currently participating. Those schools with the greatest percentage economically disadvantaged students will receive the highest level of consideration for funding and are strongly encouraged to apply. 

For more information, please visit the Tennessee Department of Education’s School Nutrition web site at http://snp.state.tn.us/.

For more information, contact Rachel Woods at (615) 253-1960 or Rachel.Woods@state.tn.us. 

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