Two Local Schools to Take Part in Fruit and Vegetable Program

Two Dundalk-area schools are among the eight Baltimore County Public Schools picked to take part in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program for the 2011-2012 school year.

Dundalk and Logan elementary schools will join in this event, according to a recent news release from Baltimore County Public Schools. Baltimore Highlands, Deep Creek, Mars Estates, Sandalwood, Sussex and Riverview are the other schools who’ll be involved.

During this program, samples of a new fresh fruit or vegetable will be delivered to all classes up to twice a week for students to try. Schools can give the kids individual portions or a whole version of the fruit or vegetable, giving the kids the chance to see what it looks like, according to the news release.

Students will receive things they’ve seen often, like blueberries, peas and green peppers, but they’ll also see some they probably aren't too familiar with, like papayas and jicama, according to the release.

There will also be a program of nutrition education on the featured fruit or vegetable.

“Students love trying foods they have never eaten before,” said Karen Levenstein, director of BCPS Office of Food and Nutrition Services in the press release. “Our principals welcome the program in our schools. We know that students with healthier eating habits will be students who learn more.”