By Melanie Patterson

The North Jefferson News



Fultondale Elementary students love to hear the sound of fruits and vegetables coming down the hall.

“They hear the cart coming and say, ‘Here comes Mrs. Sherry,’” said PTA president Sherry Lollar, who hands out the food twice a week to every student.

Fultondale Elementary is the only school in Jefferson County that received a federal grant, administered through the Alabama Department of Education, to receive fresh fruits and vegetables every week.

Marie Dixon, Fultondale Elementary’s cafeteria manager, said the school asked for $21,000, but received $50,000. She said it was enough to provide fresh snacks to every student and teacher twice a week.

A wall in the lunch room is covered with notes from students saying how much they love getting the snacks every week.

“I love the notes,” said Dixon. “I read every single one.”

Cafeteria employees pack the pre-packaged snacks into containers every Tuesday and Friday for Lollar to hand-deliver to every classroom.

On Friday, Lollar passed out fresh grapes. Other snacks include carrots with ranch dressing, pineapple, apples, oranges and other foods.

“Hopefully it’s going to be brain food,” said Dixon. “It’s a nice little break for the kids. It gives them a boost of energy. And it’s great nutrition.”

That’s mostly what Beth Miller, Ph.D., a registered dietitian, likes about it.

Miller, Jefferson County Schools child nutrition supervisor, writes the menus for all 53 Jefferson County schools and handles all applications for free and reduced lunches.

“I eat, breathe and sleep nutrition,” said Miller, who wrote the grant for Fultondale Elementary.

To receive the grant, a school must have more than 50-percent enrollment in the free or reduced lunch program, be an elementary school, and have full participation from the school staff.

Miller said 38-percent of Jefferson County students qualified last year for free and reduced meals. She anticipates more this year because of family hardships caused by the recession.

Dixon said the recession is another reason she wanted to participate in the program. Now, she said, parents know their kids are getting fresh fruits and vegetables at school, even if families can’t afford to buy them at home.

As for willingness to participate, Miller found plenty of enthusiasm for the program in Dixon and principal Cynde Cornelius.

Miller said the program is especially beneficial to younger children.

“That’s why we focus on elementary schools,” said Miller. “That’s where you lay the groundwork for healthy eating for the rest of their lives.”