NewsChannel 5.com - Nashville, Tennessee - Tennessee Schools Serve Free Fruits and Vegetables

Tennessee Schools Serve Free Fruits and Vegetables

Nashville, TN - Governor Phil Bredesen and Education Commissioner Tim Webb announced Tuesday that  25 Tennessee elementary and middle schools will offer free fruitsand vegetables to students this school year due to a federal grant.

The purpose of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable program is to increase student consumption of fresh or dried fruit and fresh vegetables. In Nashville, Haynes Design Center and H.G. Middle School, both part of Metro Public Schools, will participate in the program.

"Tennessee schools already play a large role in establishing active, healthy lifestyles among students with research-based school nutrition programs and coordinated school health partnerships in every district," Governor Bredesen said. "I applaud schools that continuously find new ways to improve student health."

Schools submitted applications to be considered and were selected based on factors such as staff commitment, efficient use of resources and innovative promotional efforts.

"Health habits form early and tend to last a lifetime," Commissioner Webb said. "The more we can teach students to eat well and be active, the better their chances of enjoying lifelong health."

The grant allows these schools to provide approved fruits and vegetables at no charge to students during the school day. For example, dried fruits may not be mixed with candy or coated, and fruits and vegetables may not be canned, frozen or vacuum packed.

The following schools are participating in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program:

Anderson County Lake City Middle,

Norwood Middle

Bedford County Eakin Primary,

Southside Primary,

Eastside Primary

Clinton City North Clinton

Elementary

Dickson County Vanleer Elementary,

Charlotte Elementary

Franklin County Clark Memorial,

Cowan Elementary

Hardin County Walker Elementary

Johnson County Mountain City Elementary

Lebanon Special School District

Sam Houston Elementary

Lewis County Lewis County Elementary

Manchester City Westwood Elementary

Marshall County Oak Grove Elementary

Westhills Elementary

McMinn County Rogers Creek Elementary

Metro Nashville Haynes Design Center

H.G. Middle

Morgan County Central Elementary

Murfreesboro City Hobgood Elementary

Putnam County Uffelman Elementary

Scott County Winfield Elementary

Tullahoma City East Lincoln Elementary