ISBE Announces More Than 200 Illinois Schools to Participate in Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program

$5.23 million awarded for the 2015-16 school year

SPRINGFIELD — Students across the state will have access to free fruits and vegetables this school year through a federal program that aims to make these food groups part of students’ daily diet for life. More than 200 schools are participating in the federally funded Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) in school year 2015-16.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program earmarks funds to states, which then distribute the money to schools already participating in the USDA’s National School Lunch Program. The goal is to provide free fresh fruits and vegetables to students outside of regular school meals. The program targets elementary schools with the highest eligibility in the free and reduced-price categories within the National School Lunch Program. Illinois received $5.23 million to distribute through this school year. This is the seventh year the Illinois State Board of Education has administered the program.

“We are thrilled to offer this program again for Illinois schools,” said State Superintendent of Education Tony Smith, Ph.D. “Many studies support the connection between proper nutrition and education. These healthy snacks can help fuel the brain and also teach kids smart choices.”

In the last seven school years, Illinois has seen FFVP funds increase steadily from $2.21 million in 2009-10 to this year’s $5.23 million. ISBE approved 212 participating schools, with an estimated total enrollment of 102,000 students, for the new school year. Each school will be reimbursed on a monthly basis for allowable expenses up to the school’s total awarded amount.

Schools and districts participating in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program during the 2015-16 school year include those from Cairo, Springfield, Kankakee, Mount Vernon, Centralia, Chicago, East St. Louis, Jacksonville, and more. A complete list of participating schools is available on ISBE website at www.isbe.net/nutrition/PDF/ffvp-awardees15-16.pdf.

FFVP provides all students in participating schools access to a variety of free fresh fruits and vegetables at least twice a week. It allows schools to make available the additional produce anytime during the regular school day, except during breakfast and lunch. For example, some schools select a fruit or vegetable of the day to entice students to try produce they might otherwise not have access to. Worksheets and fact sheets can accompany produce to teach students about the nutritious fruits and vegetables they are consuming and link them to the school’s curriculum.