Smart Snacks at Recess

!: Smart Snacks at Recess

SANTA MARIA - Recess is the best part of the day for most students and it just got sweeter! The s'Cool Food Initiative is putting healthy, local fruits and vegetables into the hands of students and now the government is helping too. The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) provides children in participating elementary schools with a variety of free fresh fruits and vegetables. This is a competitive grant that must be applied for annually. The level of funds provided to any one school depends on enrollment and the available funding provided by the USDA. Schools have a small window to apply. It is usually done in May or June. Nine schools in Santa Maria have received the grant money. Now, fresh fruit and vegetable carts roll in each day. Many students are sampling persimmons and even cucumbers for the very first time. Proving learning doesn't have to stop at recess. With child obesity rates on the rise, teachers also share nutrition lessons about making good food choices for life. Smart school snacks that help children avoid the sugar and salt surges of other processed foods. s'Cool Food Reporter Jennifer Mandulay found students at Alvin Elementary really enjoying the fresh foods. Most of the grant money goes to local farmers who bring the fresh food to the schools. It's a real win win! The s'Cool Food Initiative, part of the Orfalea Foundations, is also helping to get healthy food in the hands of students by connecting farmers to local schools. The initiative pays for ...

Smart Snacks at Recess

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