Bipartisan legislation reintroduced by U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin (R-ME) on Wednesday would give schools more flexibility when purchasing fruits and vegetables for student meals through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP).
The Fruit and Vegetable Access for Children Act would enable schools to use FFVP funds to purchase fruits and vegetables in different forms, including frozen, canned, pureed and dried.
“Our children should have greater access and more nutritious choices when it comes to the foods they eat at their school cafeterias,” Poliquin said. “As a parent, I believe it’s very important for our kids to have the opportunity to eat healthy fruits and vegetables, such as Maine wild blueberries, all school year round. I’m proud to join with my Democratic and Republican colleagues in pushing this bipartisan legislation forward.”
USDA’s FFVP was first authorized as a pilot program through the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. It’s goal is to increase fruit and vegetable consumption in schools with the highest numbers of students receiving free or reduced price lunches, and to educate students about the importance of eating fruits and vegetables. Today, schools in all 50 states participate in the program.
“Maine frozen wild blueberries are an example of an extremely healthy and delicious fruit that is frozen at peak ripeness that locks in its nutritional benefits and can be used all year round,” Nancy McBrady, the executive director of the Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine, said. “The more options schools — and our children — have for consuming healthy and affordable fruits and vegetables, the better. The Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine is happy to support Congressman Poliquin’s bill.”
Poliquin introduced the bill with support from four Democratic and four Republican original cosponsors.