Ten schools located across the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation recently were selected to participate in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program for the 2007-08 school year. The schools receive funding to provide free fresh fruit and vegetables to students throughout the school day. More than 4,000 students are expected to be served.

Participating schools include:

• Batesland School
• Rockyford School
• Wolf Creek School
• Our Lady of Lourdes School
• Red Cloud Indian School
• Porcupine School
• American Horse School
• Little Wound School
• Loneman School
• Pine Ridge School

The goals of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program are to increase students’ consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, introduce students to a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, and to encourage students to make healthier choices in their diets.

The program is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Department and the South Dakota Department of Education’s Child and Adult Nutrition Services.