Eggplant Eggplant Eggplant (US), aubergine (UK), or brinjal (South Asia and South Africa ) is a plant species in the nightshade family Solanaceae, "Solanum melongena", grown for its often purple edible fruit. The spongy, absorbent fruit of the plant is widely used in cooking in many different cuisines, and is often considered a vegetable, even though it is a berry by botanical definition. As a member of the genus "Solanum", it is related to the tomato and the potato. Like the tomato, its skin and seeds can be eaten, but, like the potato, it is not advisable to eat it raw.
Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program largely lauded, there are a few criticisms and controversies. The biggest one is a criticism of the program's dedication to fresh produce, instead of also permitting other forms of produce – such as canned, frozen, or dried – which are frequently cheaper. There is another program named the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable program that is funded by the United States Department of Defense. The DoD's FFVP was created in 1996 to help schools procure more fresh fruits and vegetables for their students. The program serves as a go-between for schools and fresh produce vendors, allowing schools to order food directly