Penn Hills elementary students to experience new fruits, vegetables thanks to federal grant

With many school districts around the country reopening their doors to students and teachers for full-time classroom instruction, it also means school meals will be back on trays and cafeteria tables.

Penn Hills School District officials want to ensure their young learners have a taste of some the healthiest options in the 2021-22 school year.

Their efforts got a little easier with the help of a nearly $88,000 grant through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.

Larry Griffin, the district’s new food services director with the Nutrition Group, said the funds will be used to provide common and “exotic” produce for students in K-5.

“It’s kind of a way to introduce them to some fruits and vegetables that they may have never heard of or have tried them at their house,” Griffin said. “A lot of kids don’t get to try asparagus. This is a way for them to try a new (food), see if they like it and increase their healthy appetite.”

The district has received this grant in previous years.

Superintendent Nancy Hines said it will be not only a benefit to students but also the district with the way food prices have been spiking.

“Fresh fruits and vegetates certainly cost more than the canned items, and those pre-packaged items probably have more preservatives in them.” Hines said.

She also noted a lot of working families are constantly on the go and might not have the time to sort and prepare new produce.

Some of the items on the menu include nectarines, blueberries, plums, cantaloupe, apples, zucchini, grapes, carrots, green beans, cherry tomatoes, bananas and oranges. The menu changes throughout the year.

There are about 1,360 students at Penn Hills elementary. There are about 3,200 students total.

The return of students also means the return of cafeteria usage. Students last school year ate in their classrooms due to pandemic protocols.

Cafeteria use split up

Penn Hills’ 2021-22 health and safety plan includes students alternating days eating in their rooms and the cafeteria.

Griffin said having a staggered schedule will allow all students at some point to socialize and eat together away from their desks while adhering to social distancing guidelines.

“This helps us to do more of what we were originally designed to do,” Hines said. “We cannot forget the need for safety practices. That’s why it has to be done in a controlled way.”

She commended the food services staff for their efforts preparing and delivering meals as well as all the sacrifices teachers and families have made throughout the pandemic.

“I’m really thankful that we’re all working together as a community,” Hines said. “We’re going to do whatever we can.

“We want to have the kids on site. I’m thankful that we have a plan in place. People are accepting it whether they like all the details or not. We’re moving forward.”

District meals remain free to all students through the National School Lunch Program’s Community Eligibility Provision. It’s being administered by the state Department of Education’s Division of Food and Nutrition.

The provision provides free breakfasts and lunches in districts or schools in which at least 40% of the students are eligible for free or reduced lunches, meaning their families receive food stamps, medical assistance or other government aid.

The Nutrition Group has been the district’s food service provider for at least the past five years.

Griffin, 40, has been with the company about two years. He was recently assigned to Penn Hills.

The Penn-Trafford High School grad said he served South Allegheny, Greensburg Central, Butler Area and Kiski Area school districts prior to coming to Penn Hills.

“It’s great (to be in a new district),” Griffin said.

Hines said she believes students and staff will continue to get great service from the Nutrition Group under Griffin’s leadership.

“Larry certainly seems capable,” she said. “I know he has spent time here and seems to understand our practices He brings expertise from other places as well.”