By JEFF MEYERS
KEESEVILLE — Cauliflower, carrots or cucumbers?
Given the choice, which snack would you prefer?
Elementary students from AuSable Valley Central School District are learning about good snack options through a New York State Education Department grant that emphasizes the benefits gained from eating fresh fruits and vegetables.
"The plan is to introduce kids to different snack items over the course of the year," said Michelle Martineau, Food Services director for the district. "Some of these students have never been exposed to these kinds of fruits and vegetables."
Each day, kids at AuSable Forks and Keeseville elementary schools are given a different fruit or vegetable for snack time. Sometimes, the choice might be more common foods such as apples and carrots, but cauliflower, plums and pepper strips are other options.
"We're trying to teach kids to have healthy snacks rather than cookies or other snacks they might bring from home," Martineau said.
Parents in the district, she added, have been educated on the program in hopes they will promote healthy eating habits at home, as well.
DIFFERENT CHOICES
Martineau is working closely with Pray's Market to create a weekly schedule for snack items on a rotating basis, so the kids can enjoy a variety of options.
"Teachers have told me that some students who don't like a certain fruit or vegetable the first couple of times do like it more as they get used to it," she said. "Hopefully, as they become more familiar with the different choices, they'll ask for them while they're shopping with their parents at the store."
Funds for the project became available through the 2008 Farm Bill passed last May. A total of nearly $1.75 million has been allocated to 51 schools across the state as part of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.
AuSable Valley was the only district locally to receive the funds.
In order to apply, a school has to have a 50-percent or higher rate of students on the free or reduced-cost lunch program. Keeseville was at 45 percent, but Martineau submitted an application anyhow and was approved when fewer schools than expected applied.
All students at Keeseville — including those who are not on free or reduced-lunch program — are participating in the program. Teachers and staff are receiving the healthy snack as well.
"Research has shown that faculty and staff do act as role models for the students," Martineau said. "If the kids see the adults trying the fruits and vegetables, they may be more likely to try them."
NEW CHALLENGE
So far, the program has been met with great success.
"I think things are going very well," said Keeseville Principal Kevin Hulbert. "The kids are talking about how they like the different choices. It's amazing how many kids never had plums before this."
Students can still have cupcakes and other traditional festive snacks for their birthday parties, but Hulbert is seeing a lot of positive reactions from the healthy snack choices.
"Kids really do like to try new things," he said, noting that some choices include dips such as ranch dressing that add a special spark to their interest.
Hulbert has also devoted one of his regular Principal's Challenges to the healthy-snack activities. Kids grades 3 through 6 who want to participate can bring in a favorite recipe from home, including a healthy fruit or vegetable they had as a snack.
AuSable Forks Elementary School fell well below the 50-percent rate, but the School District decided that those students should be allowed access to the same program and is funding the snack program out of its own pocket.
Funds are to be used for buying, preparing and serving fresh fruits and vegetables, not canned, frozen or mixed with other foods. They must be served as a snack during the school day, not as part of a regular breakfast or lunch program.
All foods must be domestic with the exception of bananas.
Experts feel a regular snack of fruits and vegetables will promote improved attention spans and a reduction in discipline problems in the classroom as well as an overall decrease in high-calorie snacks.
E-mail Jeff Meyers at: jmeyers@pressrepublican.com
