WASHINGTON, DC - United Fresh Produce Association is expanding its scope, creating a new membership category for K-12 school foodservice buyers. This move helps school foodservice directors and their staff receive resources to source, serve, and promote fresh fruits and vegetables in more schools and provides a bounty of opportunities to collaborate with produce industry partners.

“Schools are legitimate volume foodservice buyers that collectively serve fresh produce to 30 million children who participate in the National School Lunch Program each day,” said Andrew Marshall, Director of Foodservice & Foundation Partnerships. “They are often the ‘largest restaurant in town,’ and through breakfast, lunch, and other child nutrition programs, school foodservice plays an important role in introducing fresh produce to children starting from an early age.”

According to a press release, United Fresh membership is available to School Districts and School Foodservice Authorities at the rate of $250 annually, and school foodservice directors can designate additional child nutrition staff to access United Fresh resources through their membership.

“We are excited to have K-12 school foodservice administrators become more involved with United Fresh,” said Miriam Wolk, Vice President of Member Services. “Offering industry resources on food safety, procurement, foodservice trends, and other topics has proven of great value to the school foodservice community. We’re glad we can expand on that value and offer even more ways to connect with produce industry leaders through this new membership category.”

In addition, the United Fresh Start Foundation has established a scholarship fund to provide support for this inaugural membership category and for school districts in need. School districts interested in applying can visit www.unitedfresh.org.

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