District News
Seattle Public Schools receives $241,900 grant for fresh fruits, vegetables
Money will provide healthy snacks for 13 elementary schools in 2012-13
Seattle Public Schools has been awarded $241,900 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to continue a program that provides a fresh fruit or vegetable snack to students. The money will go to 13 elementary schools where 80 percent or more of students qualify for free or reduced-priced meals.
The goal of the USDA’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program is to create healthier school environments by encouraging students to select fresh fruits and vegetables as a healthy snack option. In addition, the program introduces students to fruits and vegetables that they may have not tried before.
“We are gratified to be able to continue this program, which allows us to expand the variety of fruits and vegetables children are eating,” said Wendy Weyer, R.D., SPS Director of Nutrition Services. “In addition, it helps us teach children more healthy eating habits, giving us another tool in the fight against childhood obesity.”
Thirteen elementary schools qualified for funding for the 2012-2013 school year: Bailey Gatzert, Concord, Emerson, Northgate, Van Asselt, Dearborn Park, Dunlap, Hawthorne, Highland Park, Martin Luther King Jr., Roxhill, West Seattle and Wing Luke. All of these schools also were grant recipients for 2011-12.