PSRC elementary schools will participate in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program for the 2023-2024 school year.
The Public Schools of Robeson County Child Nutrition Program has been selected and approved by the State Board of Education to participate in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program for the upcoming school year.
The PSRC Child Nutrition Department has been awarded an FFVP grant for the 2023-2024 school year by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to allow it to participate in the program and offer additional fresh fruits and vegetables to students in elementary schools across the district.
“Our students benefit greatly as a result of this program and we are grateful to participate,” said Jessica Sealey, PSRC chief communications officer.
“Programs like this are instrumental in supporting PSRC Child Nutrition’s goal to promote healthy nutrition habits among our students,” Sealey added.
The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program grant provides students in critical need with key nutrients from fruits and vegetables to nourish their bodies and minds and allow them to focus in class.
The federally assisted program offers fruits and vegetables to children during the school day at eligible elementary schools.
This is the 19th year that Robeson County schools have had the opportunity to participate in the FFVP. Robeson County’s Long Branch Elementary School was among the first schools to be awarded the FFVP grant in the 2004-05 school year.
“Child Nutrition offers students a variety of fruit and vegetable choices each day with the school meals,” said Charlene Locklear, PSRC Child Nutrition Director. “The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program offers the opportunity to introduce unfamiliar fruits and vegetables to students.”
FFVP’s primary goal
The goal of the FFVP is to introduce children to fresh fruits and vegetables, to include new and different varieties, and to increase overall acceptance and consumption of fresh, unprocessed produce among children.
USDA FFVP seeks to create healthier school environments by providing healthier food choices.
To achieve this goal, the FFVP offers public schools the opportunity to expand the variety of fruits and vegetables for children, increase their overall fruit and vegetable consumption, and make a difference in children’s diets to impact their present and future health.
The fruits and vegetables purchased with FFVP funds must be in addition to those served as part of the school breakfast and lunch programs. On days the FFVP operates, Child Nutrition staff prepare a fresh fruit or vegetable snack that students receive during the school day from mid-morning to mid-afternoon.
Ideally, the more students are exposed to fruit and vegetables, the more they will begin to choose them over less nutritious snack foods.
Principals, teachers, and child nutrition personnel in participating schools are encouraged to promote fresh fruit and vegetables to students. Storybooks, activity guides, fact sheets and posters on fruits and vegetables grown in North Carolina and served through Child Nutrition Programs are shared with FFVP schools to assist in providing nutrition education to students.
Eligibility for FFVP
Federal guidance requires that priority for the FFVP program be given to schools with the highest percentage of economically disadvantaged students, as students enrolled in these schools generally have fewer opportunities to regularly consume fresh fruit and/or vegetables.
To be selected for the FFVP, a school must be an elementary school, represent the highest percentage of economically disadvantaged students, be currently approved to participate in the National School Lunch Program and complete an annual application.
The 21 elementary schools selected to participate meet these criteria, have diverse enrollments and represent almost 10,840 students in Robeson County.
Questions regarding the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program may be directed to Public Schools of Robeson County Child Nutrition Director Charlene Locklear. She can be reached by email at charlene.locklear@robeson.k12.nc.us.