For
Immediate Release
Tilth Producers of Washington
CONTACT: Brenda Vanderloop
425-788-9846; cell/206-498-9731
brenda@tilthproducers.org
Farm produce becomes
everyday snack at local elementary school
School receives Washington
State Grant and students learn how bill becomes law from
State Representative Eric Pettigrew
 |
| Tilth Producers
Member Grower Ray DeVries of Ralph's Greenhouse in
Mt. Vernon talks with 4th graders at
Van Asselt Elementary
School in Seattle. |
Seattle,
Washington, November 17, 2008 - 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.
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|
Fourth graders from Van Asselt Elementary School in
Seattle, share the day’s farm fresh snack provided
by a grant from the Washington Grown Fresh Fruit and
Vegetable program. |
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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