Harker’s Organics
Produce is picked up at farms like Harker’s Organics for distribution to the schools throughout BC.
Fruits and vegetables in the classroom ensure kids have a greater understanding of agriculture and receive better nutrition.
Some kids may prefer a chocolate bar or chips over an apple or carrots as a snack, but other kids have never had the ability to choose fresh produce. Whether it’s financial constraints, a lack of availability or even minimal information, some children haven’t been exposed to a range of fruits and vegetables.
With the BC School Fruit and Vegetable Nutritional Program, kids grades K through 12 not only learn about the benefits of healthy produce but also about where it comes from. It’s one of many programs under Ag in the Classroom’s offerings. Ag in the Classroom (AITC) is a non-profit program that works with educators to bring agriculture to students. It’s funded through a variety of provincial sources along with private donors and the agricultural community.
Emma Sweeney is the communications coordinator for AITC and notes that more than 1,460 schools in B.C. are part of BCFVNP, a significant increase since the program began with just 10 schools in 2005. It’s all about ensuring kids get more of the recommended five to eight servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Less than one-quarter of kids are at the recommended level.
“Students are not only getting greater access to fruits and vegetables [through the program], but are able to try new produce they wouldn’t normally eat such as kiwis and mini peppers,” Sweeney says. “We want students to develop a taste for and grow to enjoy B.C. fruits and vegetables.”
Growers involved in the program go through an RFP (Request for Proposal) process each year. They are selected based on what produce is available during the program, then in-season snacks are given out in classrooms, every other week, 13 times in the school year.
Produce is picked up at farms like that of Troy Harker, a fifth-generation farmer at Harker’s Organics, by EV Logistics. From the company’s distribution centre, it’s transported to Save On Foods stores throughout the province, picked up by program delivery companies and taken to the schools.
“Saputo is our largest distributor, delivering to most of the province,” Sweeney says. “But we also have volunteer drivers that help us get the fruit and veggies into more remote areas of the province. The BCSFVNP reaches the four corners of the province: Atlin, Fort Nelson, Jaffery and Port Renfrew.”
Harker’s Organics has been part of the program since the 2007 pilot project. The Harker family provides organic peaches, plums, pears and apples.
“It is an important program that helps educate the next generation on the importance of fresh fruit and vegetables,” Harker says. “Incorporating the program into a classroom setting gives kids a different environment in which to try foods that their friends are eating which usually results in a positive experience, even with fruits and veggies they thought they didn’t like.”
The range of food offered to kids is diverse; kiwis to cucumbers and everything in between.
Harvey Krause of South Alder Farms has been part of the program for a number of years and values the benefits to kids. Krause enjoys sharing his blueberries and strawberries with school children.
“Mainly blueberries and we started doing strawberries in the last couple of years,” he explains. “It’s a specialized pack. We label it for them. I think it’s a good thing for kids to get more local produce in the school and see more of it.”
All produce suppliers are paid fair market value, yet as is sometimes the case, Mother Nature takes her cut before the kids get their produce.
“Last year we did blueberries, but at a reduced amount,” Krause explains. “They were so early.”
BC Tree Fruits is also involved and Account Manager Shea Bydlowski notes the organization has been part of BCFVNP since the beginning.
“We have provided mostly apples, pears, prune plums and coronation grapes to the program over the years and are trying our first peaches this year,” he says. “As a supplier to the BCFVNP, we realize the significant impact that this program can have on the health and healthy eating habits of young children and the next generation of consumers.”
Ultimately, for all involved, the important elements are getting kids to enjoy fruits and vegetables, try new things and enhance nutrition.
“It is an important social and health program that initiates outside of the box thinking with students, allowing them to experience fruits and veggies they may have never had before,” Harker says. “We started off shipping 10 boxes of apples to the program and now we are shipping semi-trucks full of produce.”
BC Tree Fruits sees the program as part of the company’s strategy.
“These, and programs like them, help to educate Canadians about the benefits of eating fresh fruits and vegetables as part of a healthy diet and active lifestyle,” Bydlowski says. “It also helps expose children to new local fruits and vegetables and different varieties of these commodities that they may not have tried in the past.”
Milk deliveries are also part of BCFVNP for grades K to 5 and this aspect of the program involves the BC Dairy Foundation.
“We hope that these healthy choices will continue to follow [students] into adulthood and help our province become healthier and more appreciative of the food that is grown by our farmers,” Sweeney says. “The farmers and growers that we work with are the ones that are feeding our families around the province. It’s so important that students realize that farmers not only grow the fruits and veggies they receive in class, but also so much more.”