We’re all about making this program as simple as possible for teachers to use. Check out the resources we provide to make implementation easy:

Produce Passports: Students will showcase their artistic talents by drawing the sampled fruit or veggie and jotting down any insightful "field notes" to share with their peers!

Online Produce Posters: From jicama sticks to pink pineapple, our posters feature engaging kid-friendly facts, captivating visuals, and valuable nutrition information for each produce item.

Tailored Lesson Plans: Teachers receive concise, plug-and-play 20-minute plans, tailored for their grade level. Our lessons cover Pilot Light’s Food Education Standards and are customizable to the fruit or veggie of the day.

Access to Resources: Each lesson is accompanied by resources aimed at enriching teaching, such as entertaining and captivating videos designed to keep students engaged and eager to learn.

Absolutely! During our pilot program in Chicago public schools last year, we observed a remarkable improvement in students' attitudes toward trying new fruits and vegetables. Recognizing children's selective tastes, we provided a structured yet enjoyable approach to tasting, resulting in increased openness among students to trying new items. Here are some of the statistics we gathered:

In one classroom, the number of students willing to teach others about trying new fruits and vegetables rose from 10 to 14, marking a 40% increase in positive attitudes and behaviors. This showcases students' ability to transfer knowledge to their peers and families.

By the end of the program, 89% of educators affirmed that utilizing FFVP was a valuable use of their class's instructional time. Additionally, all SnackTime Explorers educators expressed feeling supported by our resources when integrating FFVP tastings in their classrooms.

We're thrilled to continue witnessing positive shifts in children's attitudes toward produce as the program advances.

Schools in the program get full access to our extensive resource library! It's packed with lessons covering our 7 food education standards, engaging videos with Puprika (Pilot Light’s adorable mascot), reading lists to deepen food education talks, SEL learning insights, workshop recordings, curriculum integration ideas, and student-friendly recipes. It's a one-stop shop for all things educational and delicious!

Lead Teachers are a crucial part of the SnackTime Explorers Program. By participating, they not only receive a $500 stipend but also earn continuing education credits. Additionally, we're dedicated to assisting our teachers in securing grants, seizing speaking opportunities, and fostering their leadership growth.

We aim for ongoing improvement and positive outcomes for SnackTime Explorers. This includes thorough pre- and post-surveys to measure the program's impact. We also conduct site visits for real-time student feedback and we focus on building strong relationships with our dedicated teachers.

The SnackTime Explorers program is currently designed for districts ordering FRESHEALTH products through their distributors. To add our products to your menu, simply notify your distributor of your interest in incorporating FRESHEALTH items and receiving the SnackTime Explorers Program (we’ve included a template below for your convenience). We'll take it from there and work closely with them to make it happen. We are exploring an independent program that districts could opt into regardless of their produce supplier.

TEMPLATE: Dear [Distributor's Name/Contact],I hope you're doing well. I'm writing to express our district's interest in adding the SnackTime Explorers Program and FRESHEALTH's range of produce items to our Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) orders. The comprehensive educational support from FRESHEALTH, including teacher resources, structured lessons, and dynamic activities, will engage our students and teachers more deeply in the program. Could you please reach out to sales@dnoproduce.com at your earliest convenience to explore the addition of FRESHEALTH products to our menu options? Thank you for your attention to this matter and your ongoing support.

We know that making produce fun and accessible is key to getting kids excited about healthy eating. Our range offers countless varieties, cuts, and pack sizes—ensuring there's a favorite for every kiddo. Little ones might love the bite-sized pineapple tidbits, while "big kids" can enjoy pineapple spears. And if diced bell peppers didn't win them over initially, why not re-introduce them as crinkle-cut strips?

To help you make the most of what nature offers, we recommend FRESHEALTH's monthly curated Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Calendar. We closely monitor the weather and market conditions to help ensure your program's success. You can subscribe to the calendar here.

Did you know you can include educational programming and support in your fresh produce bid? That's right! We believe the produce industry should fully support the success of your FFVP program and can walk you through the steps to request this from your distributor. Contact sales@DNOproduce.com for example bid language you can use in upcoming produce bids.