Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

U.S. SENATOR Jeff Bingaman

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Contact Senator Bingaman's Office:

Jude McCartin
Maria Najera
703 Hart Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-5521

Bingaman Program Provides Fresh Fruits and Vegetables to New Mexico Students

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman announced today that New Mexico schools will receive funding to provide students with locally-grown fruits and vegetables, under an initiative he first started several years ago.

New Mexico schools will receive $2.09 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Program – an initiative Bingaman first funded in New Mexico in 2006 – to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables to be made available to the students at no charge.

"This initiative helps children learn healthy eating habits, and it has the added benefit of supporting local farmers," Bingaman said.  "This is a great investment in our state."

The 2008 Farm Bill that Congress passed into law expanded the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable program and made it permanent. Through the program schools can teach children the importance of agriculture and support local farms.

New Mexico's Public Education Department will distribute the funds to schools around the state.