Evaluating the USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program in Wisconsin Elementary Schools : Comparing Program Effects after Two Months and Six Months of Program Implementation

Abstract

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) initiated the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) in 2002. The FFVP provides funding for students from selected schools to receive a free fruit or vegetable (FV) snack 3-4 days a week for an academic year. In this study, we evaluated the impact of the 2008-09 FFVP in Wisconsin using two intervention schools and two control schools. Specifically, this analysis assesses changes in student behavior related to fruit and vegetable (FV) intake after two and six months of program implementation.