United Fresh Produce Association (United Fresh) Vice President of Nutrition and Health Dr. Lorelei DiSogra, along with representatives from the Nevada Department of Education, visited students and faculty at two Nevada schools Tuesday to check on the progress of the Federal Fruit and Vegetable Snack Program in the state.
DiSogra and Nevada Department of Education, Office of Child Nutrition and School Health director Donnell Barton visited Hafen Elementary School in Pahrump and Beatty Elementary School in Beatty. In Las Vegas for the United Fresh annual expo and convention, DiSogra used the opportunity to see the nationwide program in action. Coincidentally, Las Vegas is situated in Clark County, Nevada’s largest and a non-participant in the snack program.
Recently expanded nationwide via a $72 million grant, the program provides schools in each state with funding in order to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables for student snacks.
“This federal funding has been a real win for our industry,” says DiSogra. “More importantly though, this funding helps kids develop better eating habits both at school and at home in communities across the country.”
“With the economy in its current state,” DiSogra says, “there are kids in every part of the country that aren’t getting healthy things to eat at home, simply because junk food is a cheaper alternative. This added funding ensures that more kids will receive a piece of fruit or vegetable every day, free of charge.”
DiSogra has also visited schools in Santa Monica, California, and North Rose, New York, in recent months.