Kazeem and Krueger join Shapiro in announcing more than $360,000 in grant funding for healthy food in schools
Schools in PA were awarded funds to provide fresh produce for students
Rep. Leanne Krueger August 17, 2023 | 1:46 PM
DELAWARE COUNTY, Aug. 17 – State Reps. Carol Kazeem and Leanne Krueger, both D-Delaware, today applauded the Shapiro administration for investing more than $360,000 into area schools to promote and purchase fresh produce and vegetables for students.
“We know that teaching our kids healthy eating habits from an early age is critical to maintaining a healthy relationship with food for a lifetime,” Kazeem said. “This program funding is a continued investment in Pennsylvania children and dovetails with Governor Shapiro’s free school breakfast initiative.”
The funds were awarded under the federal Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. Schools in the 159th and 161st legislative districts to receive funding are:
- Chester-Upland School District
- Main Street School $23,400
- Chester Upland School of the Arts $31,392
- Stetser Elementary School $18,792
- Edgmont Scholars Academy $26,136
- Ridley School District
- Eddystone Elementary School $17,352
- Woodlyn Elementary School $21,240
- Chester Community Charter School
- Building A $32,832
- Building A West $22,896
- Building B East $9,576
- Building B West $26,280
- Building C East $29,520
- Building C West $28,224
- Building D East $29,376
- 1100 Main St. $30,384
- Archdiocese of Philadelphia
- Drexel Neumann Academy $13,104
“Healthy food options contribute greatly to student success in the classroom and help start lifelong healthy habits,” Krueger said. “Our schools are one of the best places for kids to learn how to eat healthily. Thanks to this funding, our schools can help us teach our kids to make smart, healthy choices at snack time by making tasty fresh fruits and vegetables available to them.”
Under FFVP, selected schools receive reimbursement for the cost of making free fresh fruits and vegetables available to students during the school day. These fresh fruits and vegetables must be provided separately from the lunch or breakfast meal, in one or more areas of the school during the school day.
The goal of FFVP is to introduce children to fresh fruits and vegetables, to include new and different varieties, and to increase overall acceptance and consumption of fresh, unprocessed produce. Additionally, the program promotes nutrition education, resulting in healthier school environments for learners.
A full list of Pennsylvania schools receiving funds in this round of FFVP funding is available here.