Expanding Nutrition: North Carolina’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Reaches 212 Schools
In an effort to foster healthier eating habits in young learners, North Carolina has embraced the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) in the 2024-25 school year, with 212 schools across the state participating. This initiative, supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), aims to introduce fresh produce into the diets of elementary school children.
North Carolina has been involved with the FFVP since its inception, with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) continually receiving support from the USDA for the past two decades. The program targets schools where students are less likely to have access to fresh produce, prioritizing those with high percentages of economically disadvantaged students.
The FFVP offers free fresh fruits and vegetables to children at eligible elementary schools throughout the day, striving to broaden students’ palates and increase their consumption of unprocessed produce. As State Superintendent Catherine Truitt notes, “The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program is an incredible initiative that allows us to offer this additional critical support for North Carolina’s students.” By exposing children to a variety of nutritious options, the program aims to instill lifelong healthy eating habits.
For a school to qualify, it must be an elementary institution with a high percentage of economically disadvantaged students, already participating in the National School Lunch Program, and must submit an annual application. The schools selected this year represent 34 public school units and two charter schools, collectively serving about 84,233 students.
The USDA FFVP’s overarching goal is to enhance school environments by providing healthier food choices. It encourages schools to diversify the fruits and vegetables offered, thereby increasing student consumption and promoting better dietary habits. The program supplements, rather than replaces, the existing school meal offerings, with fresh snacks prepared and distributed during the day.
Encouragement for choosing fruits and vegetables over less nutritious snacks is a critical aspect of the FFVP. Schools use educational materials like storybooks, activity guides, and fact sheets to promote these healthy options. Dr. Lynn Harvey, senior director for the Offices of School Nutrition and Auxiliary Services at NCDPI, highlights the benefits, stating, “Oftentimes, many students are unfamiliar with these fruits and vegetables and do not choose them as part of their meal, but this is one of the many benefits to the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.”
The NCDPI Office of School Nutrition, responsible for implementing the USDA’s various nutrition programs in North Carolina, supports this initiative. More information about these programs can be found on the NCDPI, Office of School Nutrition website.
Read More Here
