The American Frozen Food Institute expressed its support of bipartisan legislation introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives that would give elementary schools greater access to serving a range of fruit and vegetable snacks.

Introduced by Reps. Bruce Poliquin, R-Maine, and Kurt Schrader, D-Ore., the “Fruit and Vegetable Access for Children Act” expands USDA’s fruit and vegetable program to allow schools to serve all types of fruit and vegetables as snacks, including frozen. The program is currently restricts schools to only serving raw produce.

Citing recent studies, AFFI President and CEO Kraig Naasz said “frozen fruits and vegetables are as rich in nutrients, and often more so, than fresh stored produce.”

 “Considering their nutritional content along with their availability, affordability and functionality, it’s easy to see why school nutritionists from across the country have been clamoring for the opportunity to offer frozen fruits and vegetables to the kids they serve,” Naasz said.