Thanks
to a local waste and recycling company, a Lower Providence elementary school is
experiencing fruits from all over the world.
Inspired by Shania Twain, J.P. Mascaro & Sons initiated a
complimentary “Fruit for Kids” program for local students. “I really
wanted that apple,” Twain wrote in her autobiography referring to barely
touched fruit left behind by classmates in their lunches. Too proud to
pull these items from the trash, Twain and her siblings often went without this
essential nutrient due to its expense. Twain’s
desire touched Susan Lee Mascaro so intensely that she partnered with J.P.
Mascaro & Sons to create “Fruit for Kids” and incorporated it into an area
school district she felt would benefit from this idea. Mascaro donates a
different fruit each month to Eagleville Elementary School for the children to
enjoy on a daily basis free of charge.
The
cafeteria manager quickly saw how much the students loved the fruit stand, “There
are some students that don’t get to have fresh fruit at home. I gave a child a clementine and he didn’t
know what to do with it. I had to show
him how to peel it,” she explained.
The
children loved the fruit and the cafeteria staff embraced the idea. What
started as a free fruit program quickly escalated into an educational
experience. Apples, bananas and oranges turned into apricots, kiwis and
coconuts.
“Having the fruit
stand is a treat for our students. It’s wonderful to see them enjoying fresh
fruit. In addition to the stand, we are able to include three pieces of fruit
in the snack backpacks each Friday. Our students are able to have the
fruit to take home for the weekend. One child asked me if we could get
kiwis. She says she always looks forward to seeing what fruit is in the
bag. Sometimes I have to look up the exotic fruits that I have never tried,
like dragon fruit, rambutan, and ugli fruit so I can give the students a
description. We are very fortunate to have this healthy gift of fruit at
Eagleville Elementary,” the school counselor praised.
Thanks
to J.P. Mascaro & Sons, all students at Eagleville Elementary, regardless
of their financial background, are now learning about and enjoying good
nutrition while experiencing foods they may not have had the opportunity to
otherwise.