Schools awarded $1.3 million for fruit, vegetable programs
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Texas
Agriculture Commissioner Susan Combs announced recently that $1.3 million has been awarded to 24 Texas public schools as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.
Schools will use the money to launch produce stands, plant fruit and vegetable gardens or implement special snack programs to provide more fresh fruits and vegetables to students free of charge during the school day. Other ideas include hosting fruit and vegetable fairs, cooking demonstrations and field trips to local fruit and vegetable farms.
Texas schools applied for funding by submitting detailed proposals on how they plan to creatively put fresh fruit and vegetables into the hands of students. The program was open to elementary, middle and high schools across the state. When making the selections, the Texas Department of Agriculture considered school enrollment and geographic location to ensure selected schools represent a diversity of Texas schoolchildren.
"This project takes healthy eating to new heights by creating exciting new ways to introduce fresh produce to students," Combs said. "This funding allows schools to offer their students--free of charge--a variety of fruits and vegetables that their current foodservice budgets may not be able to provide."
TDA is the state administrator for the school meals program in Texas. Details on the school meal programs and TDA's Square Meals initiative are available at www.squaremeals.org. For more information contact TDA toll free at (888) TEX-KIDS or send an e-mail to squaremeals@agr.state.tx.us.
Date: 3/23/06
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