Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program

Funding has been allocated for the 2008-2009 School Year! All National School Lunch Program school food authorities in Wisconsin are invited to apply for this grant. Applications are due Friday, May 30, 2008.

1. April 14, 2008 - Mailing to School Food Authorities
2. On-line Application was to be submitted postmarked by May 31, 2008. Applications are undergoing review and grant recipients will be notified as soon as possible.

Overview USDA has extended their current agreement with Wisconsin for the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. Wisconsin has been awarded $587,233.00 for the grant period of July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009. The purpose of the program is to increase fresh fruit and vegetable consumption in elementary and secondary schools. Twenty-five schools in Wisconsin will be chosen through the discretionary grant process. The level of funds provided to any one school depends on the demographics of schools that are selected to participate in the program.

All mailings and resources below are in Microsoft Word unless otherwise noted.

First Grant Program Evaluation

In our evaluation of the USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program in Wisconsin schools we conducted three separate sets of student surveys. The first to collect baseline before program data (March 2006) followed by another survey after three months of program implementation (May 2006) and one additional survey after one year of program implementation (March 2007). We also conducted surveys of the fifth grade teachers and parents of fifth grade students in April 2007. Lastly, we have collected a variety of information through monthly food service reports regarding the program implementation over the entire one year period. Please direct questions on the evaluation to Dr. Eric M. Jamelske, 715-836-3254.

• Preliminary Findings After Three Months
• Data presently being evaluated: Teacher and Parent Thoughts After One Year and Changes in Student Attitudes and Behavior After One Year
• PowerPoint Presentation summarizing the preliminary findings after three months and the preliminary results from surveying 5th grade teachers and parents.

Resources

• Dear Student Reproducibles - USDA Team Nutrition: Student activity sheets for middle and high school classroom use or as a take-home nutrition education piece.
• Farm to School Guidance - This is USDA's Interim Guidance for buying and serving locally-grown produce in school.
  • March 7, 2008 USDA Guidance Memo - Farm to School Cafeteria Initiatives
• Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Handbook for Schools
• Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program USDA Resource Guide
• Fruits and Veggies More Matters (Formerly 5 A Day) - This is the Produce for Better Health Foundation website with information for the whole family. The kids section has activity sheets, tracking table, coloring pages, fun links and recipe tips.
• Going Local: Paths to Success for Farm to School Programs - The National Farm to School Program, Center for Food and Justice at Occidental College and the Community Food Security Coalition provides case studies from eight states to give a comprehensive look at how farm to school programs work nationwide.
• Got Dirt? Garden Toolkit - Wisconsin Nutrition and Physical Activity Program: Download or order a free copy of this toolkit for starting a school garden. Find other garden resources including curriculum ideas and funding opportunities on this site.
• National Gardening Association's Healthy Sprouts Award to Support School and Youth Garden Programs - As a way to encourage the growth of health-focused youth gardens, the National Gardening Association recognizes outstanding programs. Deadline is October 15, 2007.
• Jump N' Jive...Come Alive with Fruit - Wisconsin Nutrition Education Network: Single lessons and activities are available for grades K-5. Tip sheets, displays, and parent activities are also available.
• Mushroom PowerPoint Presentation supplied by State College Area School District, Pennsylvania
• Pick a Better Snack - Iowa Nutrition Network: Lessons are available for grades K-5. Lesson topics on fruits, vegetables, physical activity, and MyPyramid are available for use.
• The Power of Choice: Helping Youth Make Healthy Eating and Fitness Decisions - The Food and Drug Administration and USDA's Food and Nutrition Service Team Nutrition Resource: Intended for working with young adolescents, this kit includes 10 interactive sessions, recipe booklet, parent letter, and Nutrition Fact cards.
• Produce Handling Education Campaign - The Partnership for Food Safety Education FightBAC Campaign has new produce handling educational materials in English and Spanish.
• Resource CD Index
• School Idea and Resource Kit: Fruits and Vegetables Power Play; 4th Grade Edition - California 5 A Day Program: 10 Lesson Plans for 4th Grade.
• School Idea and Resource Kit: Fruits and Vegetables Power Play; 5th Grade Edition - California 5 A Day Program: 10 Lesson Plans for 5th Grade.
• Three Simple Steps to Eating More Fruits and Vegetables - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in conjunction with the United States Department of Health & Human Services, has put out a publication that easily explains how to put more fruits and vegetables into a daily diet. The full color, two-sided publication uses three simple steps to help individuals get the right amounts based on their gender and age. These easy-to-read handouts are available in English and in Spanish.
• USDA Nutrition Essentials - This site contains lesson plans and reproducible materials for middle and high school teachers.
• USDA Team Nutrition Fruit and Vegetables Resource Library - Click on Resource Library. Find information, activities and recipes to help you promote fruits and vegetables.
• Wisconsin Ag in the Classroom: This grassroots program is coordinated nationally by the USDA. The website is a source for Fun Faces of WI Agriculture, classroom activities, soybean science kits and lesson plans for grades 4-6. WI AITC also has a resource guide that provides valuable instructional resources.
• Wisconsin 5 A Day Coalition: Downloadable bookmarks and table tents under the Coalition Members Corner.
• WisLine Orientation Program CD (January 6, 2006) is available from our library. Please contact Julie A. Cox to have one sent to you.
  • PowerPoint Presentation
• WisLine Web Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Update (September 7, 2006) - Click to view recorded session

Related Links

• Community Supported Agriculture
• Wisconsin Homegrown Lunch

For questions about this information, contact Julie A. Cox (608) 267-9206

Last updated on 6/2/2008 2:29:28 PM