Courtesy CNSNews.com:
By Penny Starr
(CNSNews.com) – The Department of Agriculture announced last week that it is giving 18 states and one territory a total of $5.2 million in grants to help schools conform to new federal guidelines on food served in cafeterias.
The grants are designed to “support schools as they strive to serve healthy food, provide nutrition education, and create an environment focused on healthy eating and physical activity,” the press release states.
"When we serve our children healthy school meals, we're making a critical investment in their academic performance, their physical health, and their future," Kathleen Merrigan, Department of Agriculture deputy secretary, said in announcing the federal grants.
"Today's announcement reflects our ongoing commitment to provide States with the tools they need to build a healthy school environment. Providing nutrition education resources, extending training and technical assistance to foodservice professionals, and building community support helps ensure that every child in America has a chance to succeed," she said.
In addition to training cafeteria personnel and providing "nutrition education" to children, the grant money -- appropriated by Congress through the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 -- will go in part to structure school cafeterias "in a way that encourages the selection of healthy foods," the news release said. The funds also will be used to encourage schools to participate in the "Healthier US School Challenge."
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By Penny Starr
(CNSNews.com) – The Department of Agriculture announced last week that it is giving 18 states and one territory a total of $5.2 million in grants to help schools conform to new federal guidelines on food served in cafeterias.
The grants are designed to “support schools as they strive to serve healthy food, provide nutrition education, and create an environment focused on healthy eating and physical activity,” the press release states.
"When we serve our children healthy school meals, we're making a critical investment in their academic performance, their physical health, and their future," Kathleen Merrigan, Department of Agriculture deputy secretary, said in announcing the federal grants.
"Today's announcement reflects our ongoing commitment to provide States with the tools they need to build a healthy school environment. Providing nutrition education resources, extending training and technical assistance to foodservice professionals, and building community support helps ensure that every child in America has a chance to succeed," she said.
In addition to training cafeteria personnel and providing "nutrition education" to children, the grant money -- appropriated by Congress through the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 -- will go in part to structure school cafeterias "in a way that encourages the selection of healthy foods," the news release said. The funds also will be used to encourage schools to participate in the "Healthier US School Challenge."
MORE