Students to benefit from new snack program

By Staff
Melissa Cason
This year students at West Elementary will have an option when it comes to snack time. West received a grant to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to the students free of charge.
Lunchroom Manager Patricia Cooper said they have been trying to give students fruits and vegetables whenever possible, and the kids just love it.
"This is another way to get fruits and vegetables into our students' diets," Cooper said. "Even canned fruits are not as good for students because they are still processed."
The school will provide grapes, apples or carrot sticks, to each classroom for snack time on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
"We are able to do this because of a grant received through our central office, and West is the only school to do it," Cooper said.
Child Nutrition Program Director Elaine Vaughn said the school was selected as a recipient of the Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Program made possible through the USDA for the 2008-09 school year.
"This program will provide all children at West Elementary with a variety of free fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the school day," Vaughn said. "It will be an effective and creative way of introducing fresh fruits and vegetables as healthy snack options to our students."
The PTO will help distribute the snacks to the classrooms on the selected days.
"These program may also make it easier for parents to send snacks because one is provided for the students three times per week," Cooper said.