Published: September 25, 2009 05:47 pm      

Elementary receives fruit, vegetable grant

EDMOND — Orvis Risner Elementery has received a Fresh Fruit and Vegetable grant through the State Department of Education for the 2009-10 school year.

This grant is focused on promoting healthy eating habits and allowing students to try new fruits and vegetables. Three times a week every student receives a sample of a fruit or vegetable that is delivered to their classsroom.

An educational Power Point allows teachers to share information about nutrition, growing and preparation of the targeted fruit or vegetable. Students love to taste the various fruits and vegetables and are excited to be taking part in this great program.

Teachers have incorporated the fruits and vegetable information into their lesson plans by reading books, writing poetry and leading discussions around the highlighted fruit or vegetable of the day.

Ruthie Rayner, assistant principal at Orvis Risner and writer of the grant, said the students “love” this program.

“Students are excited and cannot wait for the fruit or vegetable of the day to be delivered,” she said. “Some of the things we have tried include snow peas, blueberries, plums, jicama and fresh pineapple. We hope to promote healthy eating habits that students will carry on for life.”