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RANGELEY — It’s not every day that students cheer for vegetables, but that’s exactly what happens at Rangeley Lakes Regional School when they see the morning snack cart coming down the hall.
Lindsey Savage, the school nurse, is behind it. She stops at each classroom and students eagerly wait their turn to try whatever she is serving. The snacks are different every day, but usually include a combination of fresh or dried fruit, vegetables, cheese, yogurt and crackers. Brittany Moura, a kitchen assistant with years of food industry experience, selects and prepares the snacks.
On a recent day, snap peas were on the menu. Many students know them and excitedly told Savage about growing them in their gardens. Others had never seen them before.
When one student says he doesn’t like them, Savage gently suggests, “Perhaps you don’t know you like them yet_._” With other students, she negotiates a one-bite try before serving up the more familiar portion of the snack – crackers. In the pre-kindergarten room, students gather on a rug and she hands each of them a pea for a group taste test.
The program began last spring with a pilot organized and funded by Rangeley Health and Wellness. The goal was to address the needs of students bringing insufficient or unhealthy snacks to school. Poor nutrition can hinder children’s ability to focus and learn and, overtime, can negatively affect their overall health. The snacks filled a need not covered by the federally subsidized school lunch and breakfast programs.
Lindsay Richards, fitness director at Rangeley Health and Wellness, was behind the pilot project. “Lindsay is passionate about healthy foods. Her enthusiasm and ability to work with others helped to launch this program with amazing results,” said Jeanne Thorvaldsen, executive director of Rangeley Health and Wellness.
The healthy snacks were delivered for the last three months of the 2018-19 school year and were well-received. Teachers saw changes in their students.
“I noticed that the snack helped them be more alert for the time before lunch,” says Doris Mitchell. Her colleague, Lucy Simonds, agreed, “It was great to see the kids enthusiastic about a healthy snack – especially because many of the students weren’t bringing their own snacks.”
Savage said she saw a big drop in the number of students coming to her before lunch complaining of stomach aches or “feeling crummy.” Parents reported that their children were trying new fruits and vegetables.
School administrators were eager to make the program permanent but missed the budget deadline, so local businesses and organizations stepped up. The snacks cost about 40 cents per student a day — about $1,000 per month.
Rangeley Health and Wellness committed $5,000 to cover half of the total cost. Blue Flame Gas Company, Burgess Construction and Rangeley Internet, Franklin Savings Bank, and Rangeley Trading Company each sponsored a month. Experience Rangeley magazine, Sarge’s Pub and Grub, Rangeley Rotary Club and Friends of Rangeley Recreation have also pledged contributions.
Kate deLutio, a parent who helped raise money for the program, said, “We really appreciate the support of these local businesses and organizations. Rangeley is a very supportive community. People really care about helping kids have a strong start in life.”
For information call Savage at 207-864-3311.
PHOTO: Rangeley Lakes Reginal School nurse Lindsey Savage serves up healthy snacks to fourth-graders. (Subimtted photo)
