Students expand their palates through FFVP program

WINTERSVILLE -- Elementary students at Indian Creek Local Schools are continuing to expand their nutritional horizons by participating in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP).

Cross Creek and Hills elementary schools are taking part in the program for a second year and have received more than $46,000 in FFVP grants to finance activities. The program is implemented through the U.S. Department of Agriculture and administered by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. About 1,100 pupils in prekindergarten through fourth grade are getting a taste of different healthy foods and learning about produce in their classrooms.

Nicole Marshall, district food service director with The Nutrition Group, implemented the program last year and said students had a chance to sample foods such as candy cane beets and dragon fruit. This year, Marshall said Cross Creek received more than $25,923 while Hills received more than $20,888 to provide food and other supplies as well as fund staff members who prepare the items.

The program kicked off Aug. 28 with samples of prepackaged pears and golden apples, and teachers discussed their nutritional value in class. Activities may be held a minimum of twice a week, giving students opportunities to taste known and unfamiliar foods such as watermelon, cauliflower, yellow squash, pineapple, green beans, cantaloupe and blueberries.

In addition, Marshall plans to provide fun, themed foods during seasons, holidays and special occasions, such as avocados during National Guacamole Day on Sept. 16.

She said principals sign promissory letters to take part, and she wants to continue working with fourth-grade students to help distribute the goodies.

"We're getting new students every year, so it’s a bigger opportunity for us. We lost some of our students going to fifth grade, but then we’re gaining new preschool students and we’re able to hopefully open their palettes and give them something new to try," she said. "The teachers teach and encourage children on what they are having and they also receive fact sheets on food and nutrition and additional resources that correlate with the food."

Marshall has seen positive results since the program began and said interest has expanded outside the classroom. She shared one story about a pupil who now explores different foods with his family at home.

"I have students that are, for instance, at Cross Creek Elementary. They had grapefruit the one day and that’s something that they absolutely love [and call] their 'sour oranges.' They want to know when they’re going to have their sour oranges again, so that turned into something on certain days throughout the year," she noted. "I also was talking to Jamie Freeman, a student's mother, and she told me that she absolutely loves the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program and that it encouraged her family to try things at home. They're even cooking new and experiencing new meals because of this program [and] it just adds more of a personal touch. It goes beyond the school."

Freeman said she and her son Carter, a fourth-grader at Hills, often visit the grocery store to make new selections.

"Carter would come home and tell us about the fruits and vegetables he tried at school, and when we went to the store he wanted to get salmon and things to make beef stew," Freeman said. "He finds recipes and cooks most of it. Every time we go to the store, we find something new to try. He has a Sonic the Hedgehog cookbook and it was all inspired by this program."

Even Carter noted his enthusiasm about trying new things.

"Wow! I'm so excited for the fruit stuff," he exclaimed.

Meanwhile, Marshall said educators were also happy to be involved.

"The teachers are so excited and they are the biggest advocates. They’re excited for wanting to do this program and they were surprised to see the children actually eating and trying and liking the foods," she added.

Marshall said her goal is to extend FFVP to the middle school and include fifth- and sixth-grade classes.

"Right now, this is only for elementary students [and] it goes up to sixth grade. It is our last year we’re piloting it here at the elementary schools to get a good foundation for what it’s about," she added. "Moving forward for next school year, we’re going to apply for the fifth and sixth graders at the middle school to get them into this program as well. I think [ICMS] kids would do it if it’s healthy, so that would hopefully be something that we will incorporate in the next school year for them."

The FFVP grant operates on an annual basis, and nearly 300 Ohio schools have received the funding. To qualify, applicants must be an elementary school, represent the highest percentage of students certified for free or reduced-price meal benefits, participate in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and complete an annual application.