By The USDA’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, more commonly known as FFVP, provides fresh fruit and vegetable snacks to elementary school students and accompanying educational programs taught by chefs and certified nutritionists who aim to teach students where their food comes from and how they can grow their own healthy snacks at home.
On the last day of the twice-weekly program, Sherman Elementary students enjoyed juicy watermelon chunks, a favorite among the kids. The program ends officially in May for the academic year and will return in the fall with even more exciting learning opportunities and healthy foods to sample.
Exposing children to a variety of fresh, local produce at a young age is important and will shape the way they interact with food as they grow. Introducing them to wholesome options lays the foundation for a lifetime of healthy eating habits as they develop their tastes and preferences. At Sherman Elementary, the FFVP has been instrumental in fostering a love for nutritious foods among its students.
“The students get so excited every Thursday,” says Ms. Rodriguez, a second-grade teacher at Sherman Elementary. “It’s not just about providing them with a snack; it’s about teaching them the value of making healthy choices and enjoying fresh, seasonal produce.”
The impact of the FFVP extends beyond just nutrition. It instills in children a sense of appreciation for the environment and the community around them, and, as they grow, the independence that comes with being able to grow and prepare their own meals. By promoting locally grown produce, the program supports local farmers and fosters a connection to the land.
“I love eating watermelon because it’s so sweet and yummy,” said Emily, a Sherman kindergartener, as she posed with her watermelon chunk.
HISD, the eighth-largest school district in the country, boasts the largest FFVP nationally and regularly introduces 40,000 students at 88 HISD schools to delicious fresh fruits and vegetables to which they may never otherwise be exposed.
To read more about HISD’s FFVP, visit the Nutrition Services webpage, or check out the FFVP tag on the HISD news blog.
