Maryland District Quadruples Fresh Produce Purchases in Three Years

Anne Arundel County (MD) Public Schools has increased the amount it spends on fresh fruits and vegetables from $240,000 in the 2009-10 school year to $1 million in the 2011-12 school year, reports the Capital Gazette. The change started three years ago when the system’s Food and Nutrition Services division changed its menus to include unlimited fruits and vegetables for those who use the prepaid school lunch program. When school opened for class at the end of August, lunches expanded to include squash, spinach and brussels sprouts in many recipes.