Schools Awarded $800,000 Grant To Provide Students Fresh Fruit And Vegetables

News release from Superintendent of Schools Paul Vallas:

Bridgeport Public Schools (BPS) is excited to announce the receipt of an $800,000 grant award that will support the launch of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program this Fall in elementary schools. At least twice per week beginning later this month, all students will be offered fresh snacks outside of regular school meal time.

BPS was selected by the Connecticut State Department of Education to participate in the federal program through a competitive grant among Connecticut School Districts. The award will provide over $800,000 worth of nutritious snacks to students at 24 elementary schools and the Bridgeport Learning Center during the 2013-2014 school year.

“This is another exciting win in our efforts to bring more resources into our schools. We are thrilled to offer additional healthy eating choices during the school day,” said Superintendent Paul Vallas. “The nutritious snacks will help our students maintain the concentration they need to learn.”

The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program provides all children in participating schools with a variety of free fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the school day, in addition to the existing breakfast and lunch programs. The goals of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program are to create healthy school environments through expanded food choices, introduce students to a variety of fruits and vegetables they may not otherwise experience and increase children’s fruit and vegetable consumption. The program is designed to address rising childhood obesity by teaching students healthy eating habits and complements the new Choose My Plate nutrition program and guidelines promulgated by the USDA.