FMDH Celebrates 10 Years Sponsoring The Fresh Fruit And Veggie Program For GMS & GHS

The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) is a federally assisted program providing free fresh fruits and vegetables to children at eligible elementary schools during the school day. The goal of the FFVP is to introduce children to fresh fruits and vegetables, to include new and different varieties, and to increase overall acceptance and consumption of fresh, unprocessed produce among children. The FFVP also encourages healthier school environments by promoting nutrition education.

Assistant Business Manager for Glasgow School District 1A Whitney Galland explained that the state determines which elementary schools are eligible based on the percentage of free/reduced eligible students in the district, and the amount of the available funds. She is notified if Irle School is eligible to participate, and then she’s required to apply for the program. Since the federally funded FFVP is only available for elementary age students, Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital (FMDH) created their own program to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to the rest of the Glasgow School District. During the years that Irle School has not been eligible to apply, FMDH has funded the FFVP for the entire school district.

The idea for FMDH’s own fresh fruit and veggie program came in 2013 during a brainstorming session between FMDH’s Board of Trustees, medical staff and senior leadership. Every three years, these groups come together to review the results from the Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). This is conducted with input from healthcare and county leaders from Valley, Daniels, Roosevelt and Phillips counties. The data is reviewed so that an Implementation Plan for the following three-year cycle can be put together. In 2013, to decrease cardiovascular disease and increase nutrition, it was decided to implement the fresh fruit and veggie program in the middle school and high school, which weren’t eligible to apply for the federal program. To view past CHNAs and Implementation Plans, visit http://www.fmdh.org and click on Community Resources in the footer.

This program has evolved into an annual sponsorship where each fall, FMDH receives the total enrollment for sixth through 12th grades. Each student receives a fruit or vegetable snack every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of the school year. During the 2023 – 2024 school year, 405 students benefit from this program three days per week.

Nutritionist at FMDH Yvette Phillips gave a key reason why this program is crucial to the youth attending Glasgow Public Schools, “The Fresh Fruit & Veggie Program helps children meet their nutritional needs. It is recommended that children get 1.5 - 2 cups of fruit and two to three cups of vegetables daily. It is estimated 60 percent of children do not get enough fruit, and 90 percent of children do not get enough vegetables in their daily diet.” While the nutritional component of this program is important, there’s many added values to daily life that this program also encourages. Children learn that fruits and vegetables can be a snack option! FMDH hopes that this will set an example for students’ own snack choices later. Children may be exposed to a fruit or vegetable that they may not have otherwise had an opportunity to try. Children may influence their parents purchases at the grocery store. If they recognize a fruit or vegetable that they have tried and liked, they may request it at home. Lastly, children learn that fruit and vegetables are an important and nutritious part of everyone’s diet if an effort is made to provide these foods.

Food Service Coordinator at Glasgow High School (GHS) Katie Potter expressed her appreciation to FMDH for continuing this program. “The kids absolutely love it! At GHS, we used to offer the snack in the afternoon but in 2022, we switched to a morning snack and our participation doubled! They get excited to come see what the snack is because usually, we can offer a variety of choices for them.”