Funds will help schools provide fresh fruits and vegetables to students in addition to universal free breakfast
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) today announced that 268 schools across the Commonwealth will receive funding to provide fruits and vegetables to students. Nearly $7.3 million in grant funding will be awarded under the federal Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP). This funding is in addition to the universal free breakfast program that Governor Shapiro championed throughout the budget process and has secured two years in a row.
“Access to healthy food options gives our students the fuel they need in order to learn, grow, and achieve,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Khalid N. Mumin. “The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program helps learners across the Commonwealth access nutritious foods and create healthy habits that benefit them both in the classroom and at home – at no cost to students or their families.”
The list of awardees can be found on PDE’s website.
Under the program, selected schools receive reimbursement for the cost of making free fresh fruits and vegetables available to students during the school day. These fresh fruits and vegetables must be provided separately from the lunch or breakfast meal, in one or more areas of the school during the school day.
The goal of FFVP is to introduce children to fresh fruits and vegetables, to include new and different varieties, and to increase overall acceptance and consumption of fresh, unprocessed produce. Additionally, the program promotes nutrition education, resulting in healthier school environments for learners.
To be eligible, schools must participate in the National School Lunch Program. FFVP prioritizes schools with the highest percentage of children eligible for free and reduced-price meals in order to give children from low-income families more opportunities to consume fresh produce on a regular basis.
In the 2024-25 budget, Governor Shapiro secured a $6.3 million increase in funding for school food services. This follows last year’s budget in which the governor fought for and obtained a $46.5 million increase in funding to continue the Free School Breakfast Program, which makes universal free breakfast available to 1.7 million students across Pennsylvania. Since its implementation, the program has served more than 23 million breakfasts to students across the Commonwealth. The Free School Breakfast Program ensures that students have access to a healthy, nutritious meal to start the school day and eliminates the stigma associated with free and reduced-price breakfast that may deter eligible students from participating.
