Introducing fresh produce to young school children has benefits for everyone, from growers to retailers to children and their families — and programs that do this work have struggled to continue this mission while schooling was remote-based.
Thanks to a partnership with Lancaster, Pa.-based Hess Bros. Fruit Co. and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Farm to School Grant Program, the nutrition education program Jump with Jill is rocking school across the Keystone State, according to a news release.
Debuting the new apple, WildTwist, Jump with Jill is touring 10 school districts throughout the state this spring with a new virtual program.
Called "WildTwist Jump with Jill Digital Tour," the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Farm to School Grant Program helps schools empower the next generation with messages of healthy eating and exercising.
The Farm to School Grant Program is designed to increase the amount of healthy, local foods served in schools and create economic opportunities for nearby farmers.
“Everybody wins with Farm to School.,” U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue said in the release. “USDA is proud to help the next generation better understand where its food comes from, while strengthening local economies.”
The following Pennsylvania districts are scheduled to participate:
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Woodland Hills (2 schools)
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West Shore (3 schools)
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Salisbury (1 school)
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Chambersburg (3 schools)
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McKeesport (2 schools)
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East Allegheny (1 school)
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South Allegheny (1 schools)
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Spring-Ford Area (3 schools)
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Laurel Highlands (2 schools)
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North East (2 schools)
Hess Bros. Fruit Co. new WildTwist apple comes from a heritage of Honeycrisp and Cripps Pink. The apple company's goal, besides promoting this new apple variety, is to remind students that eating healthy food rocks.
“We've been a longtime fan of Jump with Jill,” Chris Sandwick, Hess director of marketing, said in the release. “We know kids will eat healthier food when they realize it tastes great. The timing of this apple's release allowed us to help Pennsylvania schools show their students that apples can and do taste great!”
WildTwist apples will be donated to schools for an apple party. The apple is available at Giant, Giant-Eagle, Costco, Stauffers, Lancaster Central Market and Meck's.
Jump with Jill is the brainchild of registered dietitian and musician Jill Jayne.
We are so excited to share the spotlight with local growers and serve the need that schools have for high-quality nutrition education,”Jayne said said in the release. “This partnership represents all the cooks in the kitchen getting together to address a deficit: local growers, retailers and educators. We know this will be a model for the future.”
As part of the partnership, schools receive a premiere release of Jump with Jill: The Movie!, an apple party and a treasure trove of sweet and savory content for teachers to follow-up the lessons from the show in the classroom.
The Pennsylvania Farm Bill Farm to School Grant Program aims to enrich the connection communities have with fresh, healthy food and local producers by changing food purchasing and education practices at schools and early childhood education sites. Learn more at www.agriculture.pa.gov/Pages/PA-Farm-Bill.aspx