Wilkes-Barre Area School District awarded over $226K for fresh fruit and vegetables
Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski August 16, 2023 | 4:35 PM
HARRISBURG, Aug. 16 – Wilkes-Barre Area School District will receive $226,152 through the federal Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, state Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski announced today.
“A priority for me and my Democratic colleagues has always been to bolster the education experiences of our students and to close the gap of inequity that many of our students face,” Pashinski said. “An essential part of learning is to ensure that our kids have access to basic nutrition like fruits and vegetables; in doing so, it enables a better environment where no kid has to go through the struggle of fighting their hunger just to pay attention to the curriculum.”
The grants include:
- $72,432 for Dr. David W. Kistler Elementary School.
- $65,160 for Heights Murray Elementary School.
- $46,080 for Daniel J. Flood Elementary School.
- $42,480 for Dodson Elementary School.
This funding reinforces the universal free breakfast program funded in this year’s state budget.
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.
Additionally, FFVP’s goal is to introduce children to fresh fruits and vegetables, promoting nutrition education and improving their nutrition, leading to a healthier future.
A full list of Pennsylvania schools receiving funds in this round of FFVP funding is available here.