New program to promote fruits and vegetables in schools

The United States Department of Agriculture sets up a new program which consists to promote healthier food choices by providing a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables as daily snacks.

In this objective,USDA awarded to North Carolina a $2.7 million grant that will be distributed to 106 elementary schools.

The money will also go towards incorporating nutrition education in lesson plans.

Elementary schools use the money to purchase fresh produce and distribute it to participating schools.

"What better way to reinforce the message of the importance of maintaining a healthy diet than to provide our youngest students with opportunities to put those lessons into action? We hope that the more students are exposed to fresh fruits and vegetables the more times they will choose them over less nutritious snacks," said State Superintendent June Atkinson.

This year is the seventh consecutive year that North Carolina has had the opportunity to participate in the USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.