Lincoln County Schools are recipients of the federal Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) funded and regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The FFVP provides all children in participating schools with a variety of free fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the school day. It is an effective and creative way of introducing fresh fruits and vegetables as healthy snack options. The FFVP also encourages community partnerships to support the schools when they offer free fruits and vegetables to children during the school day.

The goal of the FFVP is to:

• create healthier school environments by providing healthier food choices

• expand the variety of fruits and vegetables children experience

• increase children’s fruit and vegetable consumption

• make a difference in children’s diets to impact their present and future health

School selection was based upon submitted applications from elementary schools that operate the National School Lunch Program and that have 50 percent or more of their students eligible for free/reduced-price meals. Priority was given to schools with the highest percentage of free and reduced-price eligible students. Kentucky received more than 2.8 million dollars in FFVP funding for the 2019 Federal Fiscal Year. Each participating school will receive funds to operate the program based on approximately $50 per student.

Participating schools include:

Waynesburg Elementary School, $14,650;

McKinney Elementary School, $7,250;

Crab Orchard Elementary School, $14,050.

Should you have any questions about this program, contact Cathy Pleasants at the Lincoln County School Nutrition Office at (606) 365-2124.