ISBE Names More Than 250 Schools to Participate in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program

$5.42 million awarded for the 2016-17 school year

SPRINGFIELD, IL — Thousands of schoolchildren across the state will snack on additional fresh fruits and vegetables this school year thanks to a federal program administered by the Illinois State Board of Education.

More than 250 elementary schools will participate in the U.S. Department of Agriculture-funded Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, including districts in Cairo, Springfield, Kankakee, Mount Vernon, Centralia, Chicago, East St. Louis, Rock Island, and more. A complete list of participating schools is available on the ISBE website at http://isbe.net/nutrition/PDF/ffvp-awardees16-17.pdf.

“We are very excited to help with the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program again this year,” said State Superintendent of Education Tony Smith, Ph.D. “It is important to promote healthier eating habits so our kids will have the fuel they need for the school day and the knowledge to make healthier choices down the road.”

This is the eighth year the Illinois State Board of Education has administered the grant program. Illinois has seen FFVP funds increase steadily each year from $2.21 million in 2009-10 to this year’s $5.42 million. For the 2016-17 school year, ISBE approved 260 sites, with an estimated total enrollment of 107,725 students. Schools are reimbursed monthly for allowable expenses up to the school’s total awarded amount.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program sends funds to states, which then distribute the money to schools. The FFVP grant awards target elementary schools with the highest eligibility in the free and reduced-price categories within the National School Lunch Program.

FFVP provides all students in participating schools access to a variety of free fresh fruits and vegetables at least twice a week. For some students it can be their first time biting into a fuzzy peach or discovering they like fresh cucumber slices. Worksheets, fact sheets and classroom discussion can accompany the snacks to teach students about the nutritious fruits and vegetables, linking them to curriculum.

More information about the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program is available on the ISBE website at http://isbe.net/nutrition/htmls/ffv_program.htm.