Enjoying a fresh picked carrot straight from the farm, along with its feathery green top, is becoming a usual occurrence at snack time for some local elementary school kids. One of only 25 state wide grants awarded to schools this year with high numbers of low-income students, Van Asselt Elementary School in the Seattle School District, received $29,248.42 to purchase Washington grown fruits and vegetables.
The grants were part of the Washington Grown Fresh Fruit and Vegetable program funded through HB 2798: Local Farms-Healthy Kids Act. Kicking off the snack program recently, Van Asselt fourth graders heard from State Representative Eric Pettigrew who sponsored the bill. Pettigrew walked the class through the legislative process in how the bill came into law impacting the important connection between a local farmer, state government and local school districts. "This bill is about making sure our students have fresh, healthy food from local farms," Pettigrew said. "In the short term, students do better in class when their bodies and brains are fueled with good nutrition instead of junk. And in the long term, the eating habits they form early tend to last a lifetime."
Administered through the Seattle School District Nutrition Services, the grant provides lunchroom staff at the school, in coordination with the administrative field operation staff, to review and order seasonal, locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables available either from a local farmer or through a prime vendor. Snacks are delivered and prepared in the school kitchen then delivered to the classrooms each afternoon for the students to enjoy. Providing an afternoon snack break was determined by the school staff and principal, Ms. ElDoris Turner, to be critical in extending energy levels through the end of the school day, especially after they have been involved in physical activity at recess time.
According to Anita Finch, Director of the Seattle Public Schools Nutrition Program, "this program is a wonderful extension of the fresh fruits and vegetables served in the school cafeteria each day and the nutrition education that takes place in the classroom and the cafeteria. Van Asselt is fortunate to have Wellness Coordinators placed through a partnerships between Nutrition Services and Seattle-King County Public Health and Solid Ground, to provide nutrition education to students and families."
"Having an afternoon snack program affords students the opportunity to try tasty fresh Washington grown fruits and vegetables that may be familiar or not in an educational setting where students are encouraged to try the snack." Finch added, "students see these same fruits and vegetables on the lunch line and because of the classroom experience are often more likely to select and eat them as part of their school breakfast or school lunch. The classroom to cafeteria connection plays an integral role in student learning and achievement by providing nutritious meals, snacks and nutrition education.
Providing a fresh Washington grown snack, like the green topped carrots the students recently sampled, grown by Ray DeVries, from Ralph's Greenhouse in Mt. Vernon, Washington, will be a challenge beyond the growing season, throughout the school year. A provision was made by the state legislature to allow for Washington grown, packed and minimally processed frozen or dried fruits and vegetables to be offered. With the winter months upon us, having this provision available will bring items such as frozen berries, dried apples and pears, and fruit leathers processed without added sugar to the classrooms.
After their question and answer time with Representative Pettigrew, the Van Asselt fourth graders chomped and chewed their way through several bunches of carrots along with some "what's up doc?" giggles with their classmates. Carrots, one day, bell peppers another and dried fruit the next. The farm fresh possibilities are endless.
The kick-off event at Van Asselt Elementary School was presented and funded through Tilth Producers of Washington, a membership organization of over 500 Washington growers and industry representatives, working with the Seattle School District as they took advantage of the Washington state allocated funds for their snack program. For more information visit www.tilthproducers.org.
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