United Fresh defends fruits and vegetables in schools
August 28, 2015 |03:54 PM
In reaction to a University of Vermont study that found students are throwing away a lot of the fruits and vegetables they are required to take under school meals rules, United Fresh Senior Vice President Robert Guenther issued the following statement this week:
“It is clear kids love fruits and vegetables in schools when presented with appealing and diverse options. The University of Vermont study, along with past reports from Harvard University and the University of Connecticut, have consistently stated that offering a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables — whether cut fruits and vegetables such as apples, oranges, and broccoli or the inclusion of salad bars as part of the school lunch programs — have been effective strategies for increased consumption.
“In fact, in January of last year the Gretchen Swan Center of Nutrition evaluated the current salad bar program and found that 57 percent of schools reported an increase in student participation in school lunch where salad bars are available.
“More recently, a study out of the University of Arkansas indicated that the fresh fruit and vegetable program has been an effective tool in reducing obesity rates in children compared to schools that do not have the FFVP program.
“The bottom line is there are a number of factors that contribute to a student’s lunch experience and what can be associated to their eating patterns,” Guenther said.
“More importantly, the fresh fruit and vegetable industry continues to be committed to working with their school nutrition partners across the country to provide students the best possible options for a healthy and delicious meal during school.”
“It is clear kids love fruits and vegetables in schools when presented with appealing and diverse options. The University of Vermont study, along with past reports from Harvard University and the University of Connecticut, have consistently stated that offering a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables — whether cut fruits and vegetables such as apples, oranges, and broccoli or the inclusion of salad bars as part of the school lunch programs — have been effective strategies for increased consumption.
“In fact, in January of last year the Gretchen Swan Center of Nutrition evaluated the current salad bar program and found that 57 percent of schools reported an increase in student participation in school lunch where salad bars are available.
“More recently, a study out of the University of Arkansas indicated that the fresh fruit and vegetable program has been an effective tool in reducing obesity rates in children compared to schools that do not have the FFVP program.
“The bottom line is there are a number of factors that contribute to a student’s lunch experience and what can be associated to their eating patterns,” Guenther said.
“More importantly, the fresh fruit and vegetable industry continues to be committed to working with their school nutrition partners across the country to provide students the best possible options for a healthy and delicious meal during school.”
