Alachua County Public Schools Food & Nutrition Department works with local businesses to offer healthy snacks for children

Press release from Alachua County Public Schools

ALACHUA COUNTY, Fla. – From September 23^rd through October 14^th, students at Alachua County Elementary schools that participate in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) are each scheduled to receive a fruit bouquet from Edible Arrangements. FFVP is provided by the Food & Nutrition Services Department and funded through the USDA Department of Agriculture.  

Through FFVP, students at 16 local schools are served fresh fruit and vegetable snacks daily. The offerings often include items the students have rarely, if ever, tried before. The program also provides educational information about the snacks, including nutrition information, geography, history, and fun facts. The goal is to encourage students to try different, healthier food options.

As part of the program, the district’s Food & Nutrition Department purchased individual fruit bouquets from Edible Arrangements for students at the FFVP schools, including Alachua, Archer, Boulware, Caring and Sharing, Foster, Glen Springs, Irby, Lake Forest, Littlewood, Metcalfe, Newberry, Norton, Rawlings, Shell, Terwilliger, and Williams. Students at some of the schools have already received the special treat, and distribution will continue through the 14th of October.

“The Food & Nutrition Department is thrilled to be able to offer this delicious, tasty, and healthy treat to the students that participate in the Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program,” said Maria Eunice, Food & Nutrition Services Director. “We know this special treat is going to be a nice surprise and enjoyed by all.”