Riverside Community School District

CARSON, IA — The Riverside Community School District can now offer fresh fruits and vegetables to students in grades 3-5 thanks to a recently awarded grant from the Iowa Department of Education. 

The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) grant encourages healthy eating habits among students by introducing them to various fruits and vegetables they might not have tried before. Through the program, students will have regular opportunities to explore new, nutritious snack options while learning about the sources of their food.

“We are thrilled to participate in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. Students had their first fresh snack in September, and they continue trying new fruits and veggies on most Wednesdays and Fridays during the school year,” said Jackie Moore, the RCSD Food Service Director. “I hope that with the help of this program, each student will find at least one new fruit or veggie they like and that it will prompt conversations at home about nutrition and the new foods they have tried.”

The primary goals of the program are to create healthier school environments by promoting nutritious food choices and increasing children’s overall consumption of fruits and vegetables. Each awarded school receives between $50 and $75 per student to purchase fresh produce throughout the school year.