The Delaware Department of Education announced over 70 First State elementary schools are participating in a fresh fruit and vegetable program this coming school year. The program is funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
73 schools, in all three counties, qualified for the grant funding that gives students a fresh and healthy snack during the day. Delaware Department of Eduation Associate Aimee Beam said the program helps kids make better snacking choices and teaches them about food they may not normally eat.
“Some really popular items have been things like star fruit or jicama sticks or kiwi. These are items that tend to cost a little bit more money, so a lot of families are not able to afford to purchase them at home,” Beam said.
Schools will offer old standards like apples, oranges and carrots, too, Beam said.
Schools will serve the snack outside of typical lunch and breakfast times, usually in mid-morning or just before school lets out. The USDA funds the nationwide program.
These schools are participating in the program: Academy of Dover, Lake Forest South Elementary, Anna P. Mote Elementary, Long Neck Elementary, Austin D. Baltz Elementary, Lulu M. Ross Elementary, Bancroft Elementary, Maple Lane Elementary, Benjamin Banneker Elementary, Marbrook Elementary, Blades Elementary, May B. Leasure Elementary, Booker T. Washington Elementary, Milton Elementary, Brookside Elementary, Mispillion Elementary Carrcroft, Elementary N. Georgetown Elementary, Carrie Downie Elementary, N. Smyrna Elementary, Cashmir Pulaski Elementary, Nellie Hughes Stokes Elementary, Castle Hills Elementary, New Castle Elementary, Claymont Elementary, North Dover Elementary, Clayton Elementary, North Laurel Elementary, David Harlan Elementary, Oberle Elementary, E. Millsboro Elementary, Paul Laurence Dunbar Elementary, East Dover Elementary, Phillip C. Showell Elementary, East Side Charter School, Phyllis Wheatley Elementary, Elbert Palmer Elementary, Pleasantville Elementary, Evan G. Shortlidge Elementary, Prestige Academy, Evelyn I. Morris ECS, Rehoboth Elementary, Fairview Elementary, Richard A. Shields Elementary, Family Foundations Charter School, Richardson Park Elementary, Forest Oak Elementary, Robert S. Gallaher Elementary, Frederick Douglass Elementary, Seaford Central Elementary, Georgetown Elementary, Southern Elementary H.O., Brittingham Elementary, South Dover Elementary, Harry O. Eisenberg Elementary, Stubbs Elementary, Hartly Elementary, Thomas Edison Charter School, Harvest Christian Academy, Towne Point Elementary, Highlands Elementary, W. Reily Brown Elementary, J. Ralph McIlvaine ECS, Warner Elementary, Kathleen H. Wilbur Elementary, West Seaford Elementary, Lake Forest Central Elementary, William Henry Middle School, Lake Forest East Elementary, William Lewis Elementary, Lake Forest North Elementary, Wilmington Manor Elementary, and Woodbridge ECEC.