Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program
The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) is an important tool in the USDA’s efforts to combat childhood obesity. The program has been successful in introducing elementary school children to a variety of produce that they otherwise might not have the opportunity to sample. This program is designed to further educate students on nutrition and the importance of fresh produce as part of a well-balanced diet. The goal of this program is to introduce students to a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables as healthy snack options while, at the same time, promoting a healthy and nutritious diet. Each week, classrooms in participating schools are delivered different fresh produce items. Students get the opportunity to taste the food while they watch an informational video or handout. The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program has been implemented at all of the elementary schools in the district, with each school receiving a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables two to three times a week. Through this program, the Utica City School District hopes to not only broaden students' nutritional knowledge, but make a long-lasting positive impact on their health and well-being.
The Food Service Department was awarded a total of $331,080 to be divided by each school and utilized for purchasing the fresh fruits and vegetables.
FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PROGRAM:
-
September 10th: Blueberries
-
September 12th: Baby Carrots
-
September 17th: Grape Tomatoes
-
September 19th: Granny Smith Apples
-
September 24th: Blackberries
-
September 26th: Baby Cucumbers
OCTOBER 2024
-
October 1st: Red Seedless Grapes
-
October 3rd: Cherry Heirloom Tomatoes
-
October 8th: Honey Crisp Apples
-
October 10th: Honeydew Melon
-
October 15th: Snow Peas
-
October 17th: Broccoli Florets
-
October 22nd: Carrot Sticks
-
October 24th: Strawberries
-
October 29th: Celery Sticks
-
October 31st: Snap Peas
NOVEMBER 2024
-
November 5th: Cantaloupe Cubes
-
November 7th: Rainbow Carrots
-
November 12th: Blood Oranges
-
November 14th: Carrot & Radish Disks
-
November 19th: Kiwi
-
November 21st: Jicama Sticks
-
November 26th: Pineapple Chunks
DECEMBER 2024
-
December 3rd: Watermelon
-
December 5th: Blueberries
-
December 10th: Baby Carrots
-
December 12th: Grape Tomatoes
-
December 17th: Granny Smith Apples
-
December 19th: Blackberries
JANUARY 2025
-
January 7th: Baby Cucumbers
-
January 9th: Red Seedless Grapes
-
January 14th: Cherry Heirloom Tomatoes
-
January 16th: Honey Crisp Apples
-
January 21st: Honeydew Melon
-
January 23rd: Snow Peas
-
January 28th: Broccoli Florets
-
January 30th: Carrot Sticks
FEBRUARY 2025
-
February 4th: Strawberries
-
February 6th: Celery Sticks
-
February 11th: Snap Peas
-
February 13th: Cantaloupe
-
February 25th: Rainbow Carrots
-
February 27th: Blood Oranges
MARCH 2025
-
March 4th: Carrot & Radish Disks
-
March 6th: Kiwi
-
March 11th: Jicama Sticks
-
March 13th: Pineapple Chunks
-
March 18th: Watermelon
-
March 20th: Blueberries
-
March 25th: Baby Carrots
-
March 27th: Grape Tomatoes
APRIL 2025
-
April 1st: Granny Smith Apples
-
April 3rd: Blackberries
-
April 8th: Baby Cucumbers
-
April 10th: Red Seedless Grapes
-
April 15th: Cherry Heirloom Tomatoes
-
April 17th: Honey Crisp Apples
-
April 29th: Honeydew Melon
MAY 2025
-
May 1st: Snow Peas
-
May 6th: Broccoli Florets
-
May 8th: Carrot Sticks
-
May 13th: Strawberries
-
May 15th: Celery Sticks
-
May 20th: Snap Peas
-
May 22nd: Cantaloupe
-
May 27th: Rainbow Carrots
-
May 29th: Blood Oranges
JUNE 2025
-
June 3rd: Carrot & Radish Disks
-
June 5th: Kiwi
-
June 10th: Jicama Sticks
-
June 12th: Pineapple Chunks
-
June 17th: Watermelon
Please click here for PDF version of the fresh fruit and vegetable schedule
