Matzie: More than $77,000 awarded to boost fresh fruits and vegetables for grade-schoolers

Funding will go to Aliquippa, Ambridge Area, Rochester Area school districts

AMBRIDGE, Aug. 4 – More Beaver County elementary school students will have access to fresh fruits and vegetables, thanks to $77,155 in grant funding awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Matzie, D-Beaver/Allegheny, said the funding awarded under the USDA’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program includes $36,140 to the Aliquippa School District, $20,800 to the Ambridge Area School District, and $20,215 to the Rochester Area School District. 

“Fresh, nutritious food helps kids learn,” Matzie said. “Securing this funding is going to allow school cafeterias to offer fresh produce to more grade-schoolers in our schools.”

Matzie said the grants are part of a package of more than $7 million awarded to 288 elementary schools statewide under the FFVP. Funding priority was given to the schools with the highest rates of students eligible for free and reduced-price meals.

More information about the grants is available here, and a full list of the schools receiving funding is available here.