A new U.S. Department of Agriculture grant program has children learning to eat fresh. Fresh fruits and vegetables, that is. MacArthur Early Childhood Center in Macomb and Bushnell-Prairie City Elementary School  are two of 68 schools statewide to receive the grant this year.

The program was tested in 2002, but Illinois wasn't included. Last year, the program was expanded to include every state.

According to the USDA's Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program handbook, the goals of the program expand beyond just encouraging children to eat more fruits and vegetables. It's about educating children at an early age about healthy eating.

Christine Reneau, unit clerk for Aramark, the food service provider for Macomb School District 185, said MacArthur school will be able to spend $5,000 this school year on fresh fruits and vegetables.

To participate in the program, at least half the school's students must be eligible for free or reduced-price meals.

The most important requirements of the program, Reneau said, are that the produce must be served raw, and outside of breakfast or lunch times but during school.
Reneau said Aramark tries to purchase fruits that children don't typically get to experience.
"Mangos, kiwi, stuff that maybe they aren't familiar with," she said, adding that fruit is served more often than vegetables.

With fresh vegetables, "We can serve a dip, but it has to be low fat," Reneau said.
Nancy Heron, grant coordinator at Bushnell-Prairie City Elementary, said other program rules are no dried fruits, such as raisins, and no more than 10 percent of the grant may be spent on administrative costs or preparation and storage equipment.

Heron said the school bought storage containers and a new refrigerator for produce.
Bushnell-Prairie City Elementary received a grant of nearly $30,000.

Jan Lindsay, MacArthur's lead teacher, served blueberries to her students on Monday afternoon. Lindsay placed one or two blueberries on each child's plate for a taste. The children who liked the fruit could raise their hand for more.

Five-year-old Andrea Bowles devoured her blueberry and raised her hand for more.
Bowles said the likes fresh fruits and vegetables.

"Sometimes I eat broccoli," she said. "It makes my stomach feel better."

According to Lindsay, though, fruits are more popular with the children than vegetables.
"Strawberries, kiwis, blueberries are the favorites," Lindsay said.

The program at MacArthur seems to be working.

"They've said, 'Now I'm going to ask my mom to buy some kiwi,'" Lindsay said about the children's response to the program.

At Bushnell-Prairie City Elementary Wednesday, students enjoyed fresh whole apples as an afternoon snack. Baskets of fruit or vegetables are placed on a table in the hallway, and teachers or designated students pick up the baskets.

The older elementary students can pick their own produce out of the basket, but teachers assist younger students.

Usually, the B-PC Elementary serves the produce at 1:15 p.m., after afternoon recess.
Like the MacArthur children, B-PC kids seem to prefer fruits over vegetables.

"They know if they've missed their fruits," said Bushnell Elementary Principal JoEllen Pensinger.
On Tuesday, the truck delivering the produce didn't make it to town, and students were disappointed. "They were really upset when they didn't get it yesterday," Pensinger said.

Before picking up his apple, second-grade student Jace Pendarvis, who is 8, said he was "pretty happy" about being able to enjoy a fresh fruit or vegetable at school every day. He said grapes and apples are his favorites.

Jace's teacher, Stephanie Coupland, said students "Definitely look forward to it every day. It's a good support for them because they don't always get to try different fruits and vegetables at home."

The school recently served raw spinach, and it was a hit. The spinach was served with a low-fat ranch dip.

However, Shauna Birdsell, who manages the food service at elementary school, likes to serve the produce without dips.

"I want the kids to get the taste of vegetables, not just dip," she said.

Birdsell  buys apples, oranges and bananas from Ludlum's grocery store,  just down the block from the school. Other produce is shipped from the school's Iowa supplier.

At MacArthur, Jan Lindsay talks to children about what they are eating.
"We talk about the color, taste, where we find it, if it's on a bush or a tree, if they've tasted it before," Lindsay said.

At the Bushnell school, teachers also talk with students about what they are eating, and at the school's family nights, parents are provided with educational material about using fresh produce. Pensinger delivers a message about fruits and vegetables during the school's daily morning announcement.

 Pensigner said she is satisfied about the how the children are responding to the program.
"Everything that we've done the kids have enjoyed," she said.
Both schools plan to reapply for the grant next year.