CHICAGO — Western Growers, the California- and Arizona-based organization whose members produce about half the fruits and vegetables produced in the country, vigorously opposes the House Agriculture appropriations bill provision that would grant waivers from healthier school meals rules, Tom Nassif, the Western Growers president and CEO said in an interview of the United Fresh Produce Association meeting here.

The rules imposed under the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act require small amounts of fruits and vegetables to served with every school meal.

Some school food service directors have complained that children are throwing away the fruits and vegetables, but Nassif said, “Schools are institutes of learning. They are teaching children. Part of that should be about health and nutrition.”

A lot of students don't like math and science, but “that doesn’t mean you don’t teach them,” Nassif said.