Growing Healthy Minds: Aldine ISD’s Fresh Fruit and Veggie Program Cultivates Nutritional Education in 13 Elementary Schools

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On October 3, Aldine is embarking on an exciting new partnership with the USDA to launch an educational program at 13 elementary campuses. This collaboration comes from these Aldine schools being selected by TDA to receive the USDA grant for the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, an initiative designed to increase children’s fresh fruit and vegetable consumption in economically disadvantaged areas. Notably, Aldine hasn’t been selected for eight years, and the last time it was extended, it benefitted just two of our schools. This expansion signifies a remarkable opportunity for reinforcing our commitment to the health and well-being of our students, reflecting our dedication to providing them with the best possible education and nutrition.

The program will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays, an hour after lunch ends at each campus. Assistant Director of Nutrition Carrie Allen says the focus is “more fresh fruits and vegetables, will give kids the opportunity to see and taste things they might not see on a regular basis.” To kick off the program, Aldine will start the year with pineapples and zucchini but will change the menu monthly to give kids some variety. The significance behind targeting economically disadvantaged schools is encouraging students to make healthier choices, hoping they will choose those fresh fruits and vegetables as they grow older.

Through this program, Aldine has also partnered with physical education teachers at the campus level. Recognizing the importance of nutrition education, Susan Damico emphasized the need to incorporate it into the curriculum. To ensure teachers aren’t overwhelmed, Susan consulted with Kenneth Hernandez, who oversees the physical education department, to gauge their interest in collaborating with Child Nutrition. Kenneth’s enthusiastic response paved the way for a fruitful collaboration. In this initiative, we provide nutrition education lessons that align with the fruits and vegetables featured each week. These resources are shared with PE teachers, enabling them to engage students in meaningful conversations about nutrition. The ultimate aim is for these lessons to extend beyond the classroom, reinforcing the importance of incorporating fruits and vegetables into daily diets for students and their families.

The ultimate goal is to help them have healthier lifestyles for their entire lives and to learn about the benefits for their bodies. “We want to change their outcomes,” said Damico. “If we can get their teachers or friends to eat healthier, then maybe it will open their minds to trying healthier foods.”