New York City public schools will continue providing fresh fruit and vegetable snacks to students, despite a recent scare about potential cuts. Last week, a memo from the city’s Department of Education suggested that the USDA-funded Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program in 53 schools would be discontinued due to funding issues. This raised concerns among parents and educators.
A City Hall spokesperson quickly clarified that the individual who sent the memo did not have the authority to make such decisions and was mistaken. They assured everyone that students would still have access to fresh produce. A formal notice will be sent to families and educators to confirm this.
The initial warning came shortly after the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a $1 billion cut in funding for schools and food banks, which was part of an effort by the previous administration to reduce federal spending. However, city officials stated that the funds for the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program were separate from these cuts. They had already anticipated the $1.1 million in federal funding for the program would run out.
To ensure students continue to receive their snacks, the Department of Education’s Office of Food and Nutrition Services will use city tax funds to cover the program for the rest of the school year. This situation mirrors what happened last fiscal year, indicating that the city is prepared to step in when federal funding falls short.