|
Two local schools get fresh produce grants |
|
July 18, 2017 |
Today, 113 Idaho elementary schools were awarded
Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program grants,
Superintendent of Public Instruction Sherri
Ybarra announced.
The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) is
a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
grant. The FFVP provides all children in
participating elementary schools with a variety
of free, fresh fruits and vegetables during the
school day.
Through the FFVP, schools will prepare and
distribute mid-morning or mid-afternoon servings
of fresh fruit and vegetables to all students in
pre-kindergarten through sixth grade.
Section 19 of the National School Lunch Act
requires that schools with the highest
free-and-reduced-identified enrollment be given
priority for participation in the FFVP. This
selection criterion ensures that the program
benefits children who generally have fewer
opportunities to consume fresh fruit and
vegetables on a regular basis.
The FFVP also encourages schools to develop
partnerships at the State and local level for
support in implementing and operating the
program. Schools are encouraged to find sources
for Idaho-grown fruits and vegetables, and
feature lessons on where and how they are grown,
harvested, and brought to market in Idaho.
When locally sourced produce is not available,
participating schools must adhere to Buy
American guidelines for procurement of the
fruits and vegetables served.
Schools were awarded the grants through a
competitive application process. The grant
period is from July 1, 2017 through June 30,
2018.
In Boundary County, Naples Elementary will
receive $5,709.88 and Valley View Elementary
$21,502.07. |
|
Questions or comments about this
article?
Click here to e-mail! |
|
|
|
|
