The Todd County School District’s  North Elementary School has been awarded a $20,000 grant to enable participation in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program during the 2009-2010 school year.  The program, a partnership between the USDA and the South Dakota Department of Education, provides all North students with a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables throughout the school day.  As part of the program guidelines, the fresh fruit and vegetable program must be provided separately from lunch and breakfast meals. 

“We are planning to have fresh fruit and vegetables available after lunch,” Principal Karen Fox said.  “These items will be available for students every day.”  In the two weeks the program has been in place, students have eaten the ordinary, and the not so ordinary, from snap peas, to mango.

“Students in our school will benefit academically, physically and emotionally from the program,” Fox said in the grant application.  “Students will develop a better knowledge of the merits of fresh produce and eating healthy.  We are excited to embark on this healthy program for our children!”