USDA Earmarks $9 Million for Produce Promotion

The U.S. Department of Agriculture this fall begins a $9 million campaign promoting fruits and vegetables to school kids in 10 states.

USDA and the National 5-A-Day Partnership will provide materials for select schools in Arizona, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota and Washington. Some of the participating schools are on Indian reservations.

USDA tested a pilot program in 2002-03 in 107 elementary and high schools, spanning urban, suburban and rural markets. That pilot raised student awareness of fruits and vegetables and improved their eating habits, the USDA reported. USDA handles its campaign in-house.