Free Fruit Initiative Helps Forest Glen Middle Students Start Testing Days Ready to Succeed

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Organizers set up a fruit stand where students could stop by as they entered the school before taking their tests. {Forest Glen Middle School}

Students at Forest Glen Middle School are receiving free fresh fruit before state testing through a new initiative created by an art teacher, community donors, and the school’s Parent Teacher Organization.

The program distributed more than 600 pieces of fruit during its first Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) testing day. Organizers plan to hold a second distribution on Tuesday, September 15, beginning at approximately 8:50 a.m.

“The story really begins with two anonymous community donors who were concerned about the impact of reductions in free lunch and other food assistance programs for students in our state and county,” Forest Glen Visual Arts teacher Dawn Bustamante tells Coral Springs Talk.

According to Bustamante, the donors previously provided money that allowed her to pay off outstanding lunch balances for her art students during the last school year. This year, the group wanted to find a way to reach every student at the school.

“Together, we asked a simple question: How can we support every child on one of the most important days of the school year?” Bustamante said. “The answer was surprisingly simple: a fresh piece of fruit for every student on testing days.”

Although Forest Glen offers free breakfast, Bustamante said some students arrive too late to participate, do not have enough time to eat, or begin testing without the nourishment they need.

“As a teacher, I see firsthand that many students arrive on testing mornings tired, hungry, and carrying burdens far beyond their years,” she said. “We wanted to provide something healthy, welcoming, and immediate. It’s a small gesture that tells students, ‘We see you, we care about you, and we want you to succeed.’”

Organizers set up a fruit stand where students could stop by as they entered the school before taking their tests. More than 600 pieces of fresh fruit were handed out during the program’s first morning.

“The response exceeded all expectations,” Bustamante said. “Students were excited, grateful, and energized.”

Bustamante said the impact went beyond providing students with something to eat before testing.

“What stood out most was not just that they enjoyed the fruit, but that they felt valued,” she said. “Sometimes a simple act of kindness can change the tone of an entire day.”

Following the first distribution, the initiative gained additional support from the Forest Glen community. The school’s PTO, led by parent Osemerr Avery, stepped forward to help organizers prepare for the next testing day and continue working toward the goal of making a healthy snack available to every student.

“Through this partnership, we are now preparing for our second fruit distribution day and working toward our goal of ensuring that every student has access to a healthy snack before testing,” Bustamante said.

Organizers hope to continue the program on future testing days and potentially expand it as additional support becomes available.

“We believe that when students know their community is investing in them, even in small ways, it can make a meaningful difference in both their confidence and their academic success.”

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Ryan Yousefi

Ryan Yousefi has lived in Coral Springs for over 30 years. He has worked as a writer for multiple outlets over the years, including the Miami New Times where he has covered sports and culture since 2013. He holds a Bachelor's Degree and a Master's Degree in Business Healthcare Management from Western Governors University.