The School District of Indian River County’s Food Service Department was one of four School Districts in the State of Florida to be selected by the Dairy Council of Florida to receive a 2010 Sip It, Slice It, Spoon It Dairy Optimization Grant. The District was chosen due to its strong, progressive wellness focus.    This award will provide $62,513 to fund: a Midweek Dairy Boost and Dairy Sampling Parties.  The Midweek Dairy Boost will provide students a healthy snack which includes dairy products that will be delivered to the classroom during the school day.  Some examples of the snacks are: plain yogurt with fresh berries, celery sticks (for dipping) with cheddar cheese sauce, frozen strawberry yogurt, cheese and crackers, fresh grapes with cheese sticks and teddy grahams (for dipping) with yogurt. The following elementary schools: Osceola Magnet, Pelican Island, Vero Beach, Glendale, Highlands, Liberty Magnet and Treasure Coast, are among those schools chosen to participate. Sebastian River Middle and Storm Grove Middle will participate in monthly dairy sampling parties that include dairy products such as: a new healthy Domino’s Pizza, cheese and crackers, “make your own” Yogurt Parfait Sundaes (plain yogurt, granola, fresh berries, chocolate chips, diced peaches, bananas, low fat whipped topping, and cherries). 

The goal of the 2010 Sip It, Slice It, Spoon It Dairy Optimization Grant is to jumpstart healthy nutrition habits in new and unique ways.   The dairy sampling will introduce different dairy items to students.  Once students try the dairy items, our hope is that they will be more apt to choose those items from the breakfast and lunch serving lines.  Teachers will have the opportunity to use the snack as part of their class lesson.  Health and nutrition are building blocks that positively impact a student’s ability to learn.  This program will give students the opportunity to make life long healthy choices.