Idaho Schools Get Exotic Snacks Grant

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (AP) — Students at schools across Idaho will get to try some exotic fruits and vegetables through a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Idaho Department of Education.

The grants went to 113 schools that have the highest number of free and reduced lunches in the state. The money will help the schools provide mangosteen, dragon fruit, daikon radish and other exotic fruits and vegetables to kids for morning and afternoon snacks.

Falls Valley Elementary School Principal Tom Gauchay told the Post Register that officials hope the program will expose kids to a wider variety of healthy foods, and that the kids will then encourage parents to replace processed snacks with produce.