Vonda Fekete Nutrition Education and School Nutrition Programs Supervisor

P.L , Section 120 Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Changes in Child Nutrition Program Law and Regulations Pennsylvania Department of Education, June 2005

 Piloted in in 4 states and Indian Tribal Organizations (ITO’s)  107 schools total Effective July 1, 2004, the pilot was authorized as a permanent program and funded at $9 million each year Pennsylvania was selected as one of 8 states and 3 ITO’s to participate in the program Changes in Child Nutrition Program Law and Regulations Pennsylvania Department of Education, June 2005 History of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP)

States Indiana Michigan Iowa Ohio Washington North Carolina Mississippi Pennsylvania Changes in Child Nutrition Program Law and Regulations Pennsylvania Department of Education, June 2005 Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program ITO’s New Mexico Arizona South Dakota

 Greater than 90% of the offerings were being consumed  79 out of 107 schools reported that the pilot increased student acceptance of fruits and vegetables as part of the NSLP  95% of the participating schools felt that the FFVP pilot was very successful, 4% rated it as somewhat successful, and 1% rated it as not successful Changes in Child Nutrition Program Law and Regulations Pennsylvania Department of Education, June 2005 Conclusions from the FFVP Pilot

 25 schools in each state were selected to participate in the program  Approximately $1.2 million to PA in  Approximately $79 per student for the school year Changes in Child Nutrition Program Law and Regulations Pennsylvania Department of Education, June 2005 Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program

 Application process is competitive  State Agency may open the application process up each year or continue the same schools  Applications will be announced and accepted in March 2006 for the SY  The majority (at least 13 of 25) of school buildings selected to be part of the FFVP must have F/R rates of 50% or greater. Changes in Child Nutrition Program Law and Regulations Pennsylvania Department of Education, June 2005 Application/Selection Process

Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Requirements  Funds are to be used to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables that are to be made available to students at no charge  Fresh fruit and vegetable availability needs to be advertised Changes in Child Nutrition Program Law and Regulations Pennsylvania Department of Education, June 2005 GET READY NOW!  Non-federal resource partnerships need to be developed to assist in the acquisition, handling, promotion, or distribution of fresh fruits and vegetables (emphasis for school year ); or other support such as nutrition education

 Nutrition education is required  Program is for the students  Cannot be offered to students that are not part of that school building/site  Parents/teachers/staff can consume the fruits and vegetables as long as the outreach is targeted to the students  Fruits and vegetables must be fresh  Fruits and vegetables may not be offered as part of the school meal Changes in Child Nutrition Program Law and Regulations Pennsylvania Department of Education, June 2005 Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Requirements

Labor can be included, but every effort has to be made to keep labor to a minimum (emphasis for SY). To do this:  Solicit volunteers  Purchase pre-packaged, pre-prepared fresh fruits and vegetables  Partner with grocers/produce suppliers to prepare fresh fruits and vegetables  Use student culinary groups to prepare fruits and vegetables  Preparation included into the normal workday can not be charged to the FFVP Changes in Child Nutrition Program Law and Regulations Pennsylvania Department of Education, June 2005

IS TO EXPOSE STUDENTS TO A VARIETY OF FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES AND GET THOSE FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES INTO THE HANDS AND MOUTHS OF STUDENTS Changes in Child Nutrition Program Law and Regulations Pennsylvania Department of Education, June 2005 THE FOCUS OF THE PROGRAM