By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Move over green beans and carrots, there are more exciting fruits and vegetables on the way. USD 428 Great Bend Director of Food Services Kristy Alvord recently secured a grant to continue the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program in the district's elementary schools starting in October. The program is part of the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) fight against childhood obesity.
"The benefit to the kids is they get to try maybe some fruits and vegetables they've never tried before, maybe some they've never even seen before," Alvord said. "The ultimate goal is to get them to try and like new things."
The program was first introduced into the district at Park Elementary five years ago. This year, with Jefferson Elementary also receiving a grant, for the first time all five elementary schools in USD 428 will utilize the program.
Alvord said the program is usually practical, giving the kids more access to fruits and vegetables they know and can see at the local grocery store. But sometimes it's fun to throw in the more exotic foods like the rambutan, an odd-looking fruit from southeast Asia.
"They look like a fuzzy little ball," Alvord explained. "You cut them open on the inside and it kind of looks like a white grape. Those are kind of fun things the kids get excited about."
Alvord said one goal of the program is to get kids looking in the produce section while shopping with mom and dad. A byproduct of the program is creating excitement about a healthier diet.
"It's only on Tuesdays and Thursdays right now," Alvord said. "So hopefully the kids will go home and it gives the parents something to talk to their kids about. 'Hey, what did you try today?' Maybe they can start purchasing those items and getting them to eat."
The program allocates $50-75 per student in the program. USD 428 received a grant of just under $95,000 for the program this year.
"I don't know if the kids think it's neat, but they get to try some different fruits and vegetables out there they might not ever have an opportunity to try," said USD 428 Superintendent Khris Thexton at the Sept. 12 board meeting. "Whether they try them or not, that's a different story. But it's there for them to try, and I think that's a great way to get new things in front of kids."