Many school districts in the Rio Grande Valley are wrapping up the first week of the new semester, including Point Isabel Independent School District.
This year, some Point Isabel ISD elementary students will be eating fresh fruits and vegetables from local farms thanks to a new program.
Twice a week, students at Derry Elementary School and Garriga Elementary School learn about new fruits and vegetables.
District officials say the snacks will be served as an afternoon snack and delivered to children in their classrooms in an effort to introduce students to new and healthy snacks.
“They may not know what a raspberry is beforehand, or they may not even see the difference between a cucumber and a zucchini, even though it’s the same thing. And so they can taste the difference … and they can go home and say, ‘Hey mom, I tried zucchini, can we buy some?'” said Angela Olivares, Point Isabel ISD’s child nutrition and food services department director.
Officials say they have to fill out a worksheet about the fruits and vegetables they eat that day.
During the meal, teachers also go through the nutritional information with the students.
District leaders say the fresh fruit program will start in October.
