About the Grant
Poor dietary habits, including low intake of fruits, vegetables, and milk, contribute to the alarming rate of childhood obesity currently facing the nation. Schools can play a leading role in affecting dietary patterns of children.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education, Division of Food and Nutrition, and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture awarded grants of up to $6000 to schools interested in implementing environmental strategies to improve students' food choices. The funding period was between April 1, 2005 and continued through the 2005-2006 school year.
Schools applying for a grant were required to select an environmental strategy, assemble a team of individuals interested in making positive changes in their school's nutrition environment, and submit a plan for making those changes.
Fifteen demonstration schools were selected to implement environmental strategies that promote fruit and vegetable consumption, or promote healthier food options by altering pricing or access to vending or ala carte foods. An evaluation component will examine revenue, school meals participation, and student purchases of healthier food options. The implementation process in the selected schools was documented in print and video.
Schools that received an "Environmental Nutrition Strategy" grant choose environmental strategies in the following categories:
- Strategies to Encourage Consumption of Fruits and Vegetables
- Strategy to Encourage Consumption of Healthy Beverages
- Strategies to Encourage "Healthy" Food Choices
The 15 schools that received grants were:
| DISTRICT | SCHOOL | STRATEGY |
| Armstrong | Ford City High School | Challenges and Competitions |
| Boyertown Area | Washington Elementary School | Pricing |
| Cheltenham Township | Elkins Park (Middle) School | Challenges and Competitions |
| East Stroudsburg Area | Lehman Intermediate (Middle) School | Pricing |
| Great Valley | Great Valley Middle School | School Markets |
| Greater Johnstown | East Side Elementary School and West Side Elementary School | Other Innovative Strategies to Promote Fruit and Vegetable Consumption |
| McKeesport Area | McKeesport Area High School | Introduction of Milk Vending Machines |
| Mount Carmel Area | Mount Carmel Area Elementary School | School Markets and Challenges and Competitions |
| Northwestern Lehigh | Northwestern Lehigh High School | Other Innovative Strategies to Promote Fruit and Vegetable Consumption |
| Pittsburgh Public Schools | Colfax Spanish Academy | School Markets |
| Port Allegany | Port Alleghany Elementary School | School Markets and Challenges and Competitions |
| Salisbury-Elk Lick | Salisbury-Elk Lick Elementary School | Challenges and Competitions |
| South Side Area | South Side Area Middle/High School | Introduction of Milk Vending Machine |
| Upper Moreland Township | Upper Moreland Township Elementary Center - Primary School | Other Innovative Strategies to Promote Fruit and Vegetable Consumption |
| Wayne Highlands | All 6 schools in the district | Other Innovative Strategies to Promote Fruit and Vegetable Consumption |
