Coatesville Schools Get Fresh Fruit And Vegetable Grant

COATESVILLE, PA — Coatesville area schools are receiving grant money to ensure students have healthy food choices at school, including fruits and vegetables.

State Rep. Dan Williams (D-74th), announced that the Coatesville Area School District will receive $146,900 in U.S. Department of Agriculture Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program grants to be distributed among the following schools: Caln Elementary School, East Fallowfield Elementary School, Kings Highway Elementary School, Rainbow Elementary School, and Reeceville Elementary School.

"It is critical that fresh, healthy food is regularly available to our students to support physical and academic growth, but fresh fruits and vegetables are often not easily available in schools," Williams said. "This program addresses this problem, ensuring that students have the opportunity to eat healthy at school."

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program's goals are to create healthier school environments by providing healthier food choices, expand the variety of fruits and vegetables students experience, increase fruit and vegetable consumption, and positively impact students’ present and future health. The FFVP was implemented in Pennsylvania in 2004 and is now available in all 50 states.

Priority is given to schools with the highest rates of students eligible for free and reduced-price meals. Grantees must spend most of their grant on the purchase of fresh fruit and vegetables and develop a plan to establish partnerships to reduce other costs, Williams' office explained.

Schools are also required to provide nutrition education to students but cannot use FFVP funding to purchase nutrition education materials.

Learn more about the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program grants here.

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