Hamilton County school gets money for fresh produce

Forget Skittles and potato chips -- students will snack on apple slices and carrot sticks next year at Orchard Knob Elementary School, thanks to a federal grant awarded this week.

For the second year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture gave money to provide healthy snacks -- fresh fruits and vegetables only -- to schools around the country with high concentrations of poor students.

"Some of these kids may never have had a fresh kiwi. They may not know the difference between a peach or a nectarine," said Carolyn Childs, Hamilton County's director of school nutrition.

Orchard Knob received $17,285 for next school year's healthy munchies, and was the only Hamilton County school to be awarded the money.

Ms. Childs said the elementary will serve as a pilot program, and the school district plans to apply for more schools in the future.

School administrators cannot serve canned or frozen fruits and vegetables, nor can they provide a dip such as ranch salad dressing with the produce, Ms. Childs said. The fruits and veggies also cannot be served during meals, but rather as snacks throughout the day, she said.

The amount of money allocated is based on each school's enrollment. Orchard Knob's grant comes out to $50 per student for the school year, or about two snacks per child per week, said Amanda Anderson, spokeswoman for the Tennessee Department of Education.

Bradley County's Blue Springs Elementary received a similar grant for $11,172, Ms. Anderson said.

Getting children used to eating fresh produce is one important step toward creating healthier students and is the main purpose behind the USDA grant, said Tennessee Education Commissioner Tim Webb.

"It's important that we start teaching our students healthy habits that can stay with them as they grow into adults," he said in a news release. "We are excited that so many schools chose to participate this year and offer nutritious items to their students."