USDA Evaluation of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program: Interim Report

The US Department of Agriculture released an interim evaluation report on the results from the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) for the 2011-2012 school year. It indicates that in participating schools, the program increased student consumption of fruits and vegetables by about 15%, on average, as compared to consumption in non-FFVP schools. The final evaluation report, to be completed next year, will expand on this interim report by including detailed information on how the FFVP was implemented in a nationally-representative sample of schools.

The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) was created to increase fruit and vegetable consumption among students in the Nation’s poorest elementary schools by providing free fresh fruits and vegetables to students outside of regular school meals.  FFVP began as a pilot program in 2002 and was converted into a nationwide program as part of the 2008 Farm Bill.

The report can be found at: http://www.fns.usda.gov/ora/MENU/Published/CNP/cnp.htm