YUMA, ARIZONA – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced nearly $118 million in grants to strengthen markets for specialty crops, such as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, horticulture and nursery crops. The grants were authorized through the 2014 Farm Bill as part of an effort to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops and provide resources to strengthen American agriculture. POWer Fresh Kids was a recipient of a $50,000 grant. Power Fresh Kids owns the POWer PLAY'te program that has been used in Yuma, Arizona area schools for the past 2 1/2 years.
POWer Fresh Kids encourage students to eat more fruits and vegetables using fun, kid friendly tools. The POWer PLAY'te program offers a paper plate modeled after the USDA Choose My Plate graphic that encourages kids to fill half their PLAY'te with fruits and vegetables. Experts agree that children are not eating the daily recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables. Schools have increased fresh produce options for both school breakfast and school lunches under the new USDA guidelines; however, they need additional support to ensure children are eating what is provided to them. POWer PLAY'tes aims to provide that support by making the healthy choice FUN. Over 15,000 students currently eat lunch on the PLAY'te in Yuma school cafeterias each week. They also hear a "crop of the week" announcement, have "crop of the week" educational pages provided to them, and have the opportunity to earn "I'm a taster, not a waster" stickers.
Funding through the USDA grant will allow the program to expand into other Arizona schools, reaching over 120,000 students. 200 Arizona schools will receive POWer PLAY'tes for a school breakfast or lunch during National Nutrition Month in March. In addition, students will receive the "crop of the day" worksheets, school-wide morning announcements and additional ways to encourage healthy eating. Vic Smith, owner of JV Smith Companies and co-owner of POWer Fresh Kids is delighted that the program is expanding to the rest of the state. "From the start, the playful part of the program and the fact that it was taking place in our local schools is what set it apart from other marketing campaigns designed to help kids make better choices. The program has shown good results in the Yuma area and we look forward to watching the successes throughout the state of Arizona. It is gratifying to be a part of something that can change the lives of these students."
Karen Johnson, Director of Child Nutrition programs at Yuma Elementary School District One added, "We do know the program has been effective- the excitement in the POWer PLAY'te in itself, it was something different, something special for the students. It brought awareness to the importance of fruits/vegetables that are served in our programs. The assemblies are the first of their kind-bringing great nutrition news to students! The curriculum, morning announcement and awareness to eat great healthy food and what it will do for the future of the health of a strong and healthy body- what a great package for students!"
Co-owners Kristan Sheppeard and Susan Sternitzke will be starting outreach efforts to reach schools across the state and introduce the program. 10 of the schools will be selected to be measured to determine the outcomes of the program. "Our ability to showcase the successes in the Yuma schools will mean a great deal as we reach out to other schools," Kristan Sheppeard stated. "The two Yuma school districts set the stage for the program and we are most grateful to them and their school nutrition managers for believing in the POWer of the PLAY'tes," added Sternitzke.
POWer PLAY'tes are also being sold in the San Francisco bay area, throughout the Midwest, Alaska and even as far away as Panama. They are also being distributed to Head Start programs throughout Arizona. They distribute all of the products out of their Yuma warehouse. For more information about POWer PLAY'tes, visit www.powerplaytes.com or call 928-276-3408. You can also reach co-owners Kristan Sheppeard at 928-246-9108 or Susan Sternitzke at 928-246-9255.
Source: POWer Fresh Kids
