Federal Grant Award Summary

The Department of Education of Puerto Rico received a $1.11 million Project Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) under the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (CFDA 10.582), awarded on October 1, 2025, with completion scheduled for September 30, 2026. This grant provides funding to procure and distribute free fresh fruits and vegetables to elementary schools across Puerto Rico that serve high concentrations of students eligible for free or reduced-price meals under the National School Lunch Program. The program's core objective is to introduce children to fresh produce varieties, increase consumption of unprocessed fruits and vegetables, and promote nutrition education in economically disadvantaged school communities.

As the state education agency for Puerto Rico, the Department of Education of Puerto Rico serves as the primary administrator responsible for selecting eligible elementary schools based on their free and reduced-price meal eligibility percentages and establishing agreements with school food authorities to ensure participating schools provide fresh fruits and vegetables at no cost to all enrolled children while publicizing program availability. Participating schools must be currently enrolled in the National School Lunch Program and demonstrate institutional support from school food managers, principals, and district superintendents to participate in the program.