CNP fresh fruits and vegitables

The Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service awarded $4.822 million to the Indiana Department of Education on October 1, 2025, under the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (CFDA 10.582) to provide free fresh fruits and vegetables to elementary schools with high percentages of children receiving free or reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program. Performance runs through September 30, 2026, and work occurs in Indiana.

The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program introduces children to fresh produce varieties and increases consumption of unprocessed fruits and vegetables during the school day while promoting nutrition education in eligible elementary schools. The state education agency selects schools based on high free and reduced-price meal eligibility percentages; schools participating in the National School Lunch Program may be renewed annually through reapplication or modified application processes depending on their eligibility ranking each year. Schools agree to serve produce free to all enrolled children and publicize availability.

The Department of Education Indiana passed funding through to 57 sub-recipients via sub-awards dated between May 31 and July 31, 2026. Sub-recipients include public school districts (Washington Community School District, Fort Wayne Community Schools, Greater Clark County Schools, School City Hammond, Crawfordsville Community School Corp, Seymour Community Schools, and others), charter schools and academy operators (Steel City Academy, Invent Learning Hub Inc., Muncie Public Charter School Of Inquiry Inc., Joshua Academy, Circle City Preparatory Inc., Timothy L. Johnson Academy), and non-profit school-based organizations (ST John Bosco School, ST Mark The Evangelist Parish, Saint Benedict School, Southeast Neighborhood School Of Excellence Inc., Indianapolis Muslim Community Association Inc.). Sub-awards allocate grant funding to these subrecipients for implementation of the program at the local school level.