Two EGUSD elementary schools receive federal Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program grants | Health

Two Elk Grove Unified School District (EGUSD) elementary schools – John Reith and Union House – have been selected as recipients of federal Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) grants.  Reith will receive $38,094.  Union House will receive $49,815.

The FFVP grant, which requires a nutrition education component, allows EGUSD Food & Nutrition Services (FNS) to tie the snack into the Harvest of the Month (HOTM) program at both Reith and Union House.  The HOTM program provides a fresh fruit or vegetable sample and nutrition education on selected produce items ten months a year.  The FFVP grant will also allow FNS to provide students the opportunity to continue to enjoy the designated HOTM produce for the entire month by providing it as a snack at no cost to the students.

Both schools will be provided with a colorful Harvest Cart.  The cart will contain the featured fruit or vegetable snack of the month and will be placed in an accessible location for all students.  The cart will also provide additional nutrition education on the featured produce.

The FFVP grant is designed to provide students continued access to fresh fruits and vegetables during the school day.  The program will provide free fresh fruit or vegetable snack during one recess a day, three days a week.  The program is a supplement to school breakfast and lunch programs.

To be eligible for the grant, elementary schools must participate in the National School Lunch Program and have 50 percent or more of their students eligible for free or reduced-price meals.  Applicants are funded based on the percentage of students eligible for free or reduced price meals, with priority given to the highest percentage.  Schools who receive a FFVP grant must provide a free fresh fruit or vegetable snack during the school day at least three times per week for all enrolled students.  Grant recipients are encouraged to form partnerships with the fruit and vegetable industry and groups that promote children’s health to support their efforts.

Click here for more information about the FFVP grants.

Source: Elk Grove Unified School District