Matzie: Nearly $100,000 secured to boost fresh produce for District 16 schools

Rep. Robert Matzie    August 12, 2024 | 11:57 AM

AMBRIDGE, Aug. 12 – More fresh fruits and vegetables are coming to grade schoolers in the 16th Legislative District thanks to $97,020 in grant funding from the Department of Education, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today.

Matzie, D-Beaver, said the funding from the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program will help schools deliver a healthy supplement to classroom learning.

“Eating healthy helps kids stay focused, learn more easily, and retain more of what they learn,” Matzie said. “The new funding will allow our elementary schools to introduce more produce into the school day, so students reap the benefits of that nutrition, learn to view fresh fruits and vegetables as snacks and gradually begin to make their own healthy choices.”

Matze said the funding includes:

  • $36,762 to Aliquippa Elementary School.
  • $23,496 to Rochester Elementary School.
  • $20,262 to Highland Elementary School.
  • $16,500 to State Street Elementary School.

To be eligible for the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, 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 to give students from low-income families more frequent access to fresh produce.

More information is available here: https://www.media.pa.gov/pages/education-details.aspx?newsid=1484#:~:text=Nearly%20%247.3%20million%20in%20grant,two%20years%20in%20a%20row.

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