More JCPS Schools Participate in Fresh Produce Program

Several Jefferson County elementary schools will continue participating in the fresh produce program offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture next school year.JCPS has taken part in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program(FFVP) since 2008, according to district officials.  Schools participating in the program offer students fresh produce three times a week."We just try to expand their variety of fresh fruits and vegetables and let them know that there’s more fruits and vegetables than your normal apples, oranges and bananas," said Alicia Arnett, the district's FFVP supervisor.This year, the district received nearly $900,000, which is enough funding for 35 elementary schools. The program is based on the number of students receiving free and reduced meals and during the 2012-2013 school year 35 elementary schools will be participating. Although some schools were eligible to participate, not all did, said Arnett.“We had actually four schools that participated last year that won’t participate this year and then we had six new schools to come on this year," she said.During the 2010-2011 school year, JCPS received only $281,000 for the program and last year it received $857,000. Arnett said she hopes the amount of local produce offered through the program will increase. Last year, about 8 percent of the produce was provided by local vendors, which is around $65,000 of the program's food budget, she said.The goal, she said, is to continue increasing that number gradually.Below is a list of schools participating in the 2012-2013 school year.