Greater Johnstown, Ferndale school districts to receive $136,656 for fresh fruits, vegetables for students
Rep. Frank Burns August 15, 2023 | 2:42 PM
HARRISBURG, Aug. 15 – State Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, announced today that three schools in the 72nd Legislative District will receive funding to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to students.
The grants awarded under the USDA’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program will allow the school districts to supplement regular school meals with appetizing healthy options.
“I’ve always supported our students and schools,” Burns said. “Education is the best way to make sure our region can grow and compete in the marketplace, and making sure our students have the nutrition they need to be healthy and strong is a part of that.”
The amounts and the schools that will receive the funding are:
- $23,472 to Ferndale Elementary School.
- $82,224 to Greater Johnstown Elementary School.
- $30,960 to Greater Johnstown Middle School.
Under the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, selected schools are reimbursed for the cost of making free fresh fruits and vegetables available to students during the school day, separate from the lunch or breakfast meal, in one or more areas of the school. The goals are to introduce children to new, wider varieties of fresh fruits and vegetables and to increase overall acceptance and consumption of fresh, unprocessed produce. The program also promotes nutrition education.
To be eligible, schools must participate in the National School Lunch Program. The FFVP prioritizes schools with the highest percentage of children eligible for free and reduced-price meals in order to give children from low-income families more opportunities to consume fresh produce on a regular basis.
For the full list of the recipients from this year’s program, click here.