Program Overview
The Fresh Fruits & Vegetable Program of Alabama provides free and fresh fruits to elementary school children other than the school meal. It provides fresh eatables free to those children and this is a good way to introduce healthy snacks to the children. This program also encourages the community to support healthy eating habits.
The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) is a USDA Program designed to widen the variety of fresh fruit and vegetables served to elementary-age students. The program offers all children in participating schools a variety of free fresh fruit and vegetable snacks during the school day. In the state of Alabama, the FFVP program is administered by the Alabama State Department of Education. The program analysis shows that most children who attend elementary school have started to consume good nutrition and are adopting healthy eating habits. This program has helped the participating children create a healthy environment and healthier impact on their present and future health. This has also helped many schools create a healthier environment by providing their students with knowledge of healthier and fresh fruits and vegetables.
The program works in a way that the federal government provides the annual budget and in this budget, each beneficiary receives the benefit amount. Schools that participate in this program claim to repay them, reviewed by the state department. The State of Alabama started this initiative to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to elementary school children; this program was initiated under the Farm Bill and the Child Nutrition initiatives. The state of Alabama originally started this initiative for the elementary schools of Alabama, its main purpose was to build up a good diet for the children of the school, The State helps to improve the diversity of foods in the school and to build a good health environment.
- Locally grown fruits and vegetables may be served fresh to students participating in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. Fruits and vegetables grown nearby can serve as a valuable teaching component.
- FFVPs may serve a cooked vegetable, such as local eggplant or asparagus up to once a week.
Eligibility Criteria
The FFVP program and eligibility assessment are managed by the Alabama Department of Education. First, they check the eligibility for those schools that couldn’t afford to provide fresh items to their school’s children. Then they check out those schools that have a high number of enrolment of children in schools such as those schools which are in Alabama that are enrolled free for this program.
Eligible elementary schools must submit an FFVP application that includes:
- The total number of enrolled children;
- The percentage of children certified as eligible for free and reduced-price meals;
- A certification of support for the participation of the FFVP signed by the school food service manager, school principal, and the district superintendent (or equivalent positions, as determined by the school); and
- A Program implementation plan, including efforts to integrate the FFVP with other efforts to promote childhood health and nutrition.
Those schools who are arranging the program must focus that they are providing fresh meals to their children. Schools must demonstrate flexibility in their program so that they have the resolution to implement their plan. Schools should plan which type of product they will serve, how many days per week it will be served, and the time except the breakfast and the lunch meal so that they can provide fresh fruits and vegetables.
The State of Alabama provides all types of fresh fruits and vegetables to the schools of the state. This program’s main purpose is to give elementary school children awareness and make them love fruits and vegetables. Authorities are trying their best to introduce all fruits and vegetables introduce the children. This encourages children to enjoy fruits and vegetables “as they are.”
Schools should purchase all the fresh items from wholesalers, retailers, and shopkeepers. Schools can also help local farmers in a way that they can ask them to provide them with fresh fruits and vegetables from their farms so they can be provided to school children for this program. Schools must follow all the local procedures and all proper procurement; all purchases should be done according to local, State, and Federal Guidelines. There are thousands of students in Alabama and many schools every year qualify to offer the program to their students.
For Further Information
For more information about the FFVP, please contact the Alabama Department of Education which is responsible for the administration of the Program in the State of Alabama.
You can also call the Alabama state agency staff at: (334) 694-4900
