Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program

  • What is the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program?

    The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) provides all enrolled students with a variety of free fresh fruits and vegetables during the school day outside of breakfast or lunch. The goals of the FFVP are to expand the variety of fruits and vegetables children experience, increase children's fruit and vegetable consumption and make a difference in children's diets to impact their present and future health. 

    This unique program is currently available at just two schools; Hawthorne and Garfield Elementary schools. To participate in the program, a school must be an elementary school and have a high percentage of children eligible for free and reduced price benefits.

    Schedule

    The program operates Monday -Thursday except on early release days. Each classroom determines the time that works best for their classroom environment.

    Taster Bites!

    Many of the items that are served during the program are designed to be a taster bite to expose students to something new. A few items that have been featured include: Dragon Fruit, Star Fruit, Candy Cane Beets, Mini Cucumbers, Persimmions and so much more.

  • Below are some fruits and veggies students have tried this year

  • Star Fruit

     Star Fruit

    Star Fruit is rich in fiber, vitamin C and B as well as minerals like potassium. The entire fruit is edible. It has a texture like grapes and a taste that resembles a blend of pineapple, plum and lemon. Star fruit it native to Indonesia, Philippines and Malaysia. The students had an opportunity to try star fruit during October.

     

    PersimmonsPersimmons in a bucket 

    There are about 2000 varieties of persimmons but only two types are sold in stores; Hachiya and Fuyu. Students were able to taste the Fuyu variety. The orange color of the persimmon makes them high in vitamin A, C and potassium. Persimmons can be eaten dried, fresh or cooked. They are crunchy yet juicy at the same time. Persimmons originated in China but are now grown in Japan, Korea and the US. 

    Snow Peas

    Snow peas in a bucket

    Snow peas have pale green pods and contain small, flattened peas. Both the peas and the pod are edible and have a sweet flavor. They are available year-round, the peak season for snow peas is spring through the early summer months. In the United States, snow peas are mostly grown in Washington State. 

  • Kumquats

    Kumquats in boat with sign

    Kumquats have an edible skin which is in contrast to the tart juicy flesh inside. You can pop the whole thing in your mouth! Kumquats are native to Eastern Asia and are especially notable for their rich supply of vitamin C and fiber. 

    Sungold Kiwi

    Sungold Kiwi in a bucket

    Sungold Kiwi's have a tropically sweet taste, some say a cross between a mango and a strawberry. They are softer than green kiwi's  and have a smooth exterior. Sungold Kiwi's have a rare combination of both soluble and insoluble fiber and are high in vitamin C. They contain more vitamin C than an orange. 

    Ugli Fruit

    Ugli Fruit cut up in a bucket

    Ugli fruit is a citrus hybrid that's a cross between a grapefruit, a tangerine and a Seville orange. It is a natural hybrid, having arisen spontaneously near Brown's Town, Jamaica. The taste is described as more sour than an orange and less bitter than a grapefruit, it is commonly guessed to be a lemon-tangerine hybrid. 

  • Apples

    Each week students have an opportunity to try a different type of apple. Who knew there were so many varieties!  So far they have tried:

    Ambrosia

    Ginger Gold 

    Honeycrisp 

    Lady Alice 

    Lucy Glo

    Lucy Rose

    Pink Lady

    Dragon Green

    Sweet Tango

    Lemonade

    Sugar Bee

    Wild Twist

    Kissabel

     

    kissabel apples cut in half