North Fayette, Spring Hill win Fresh Fruit & Vegetable grants

Elementary school students at North Fayette and Spring Hill will be getting healthy snacks this year thanks to winning a special grant.

North Fayette and Spring Hill have both been awarded a grant from the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) designed to combat childhood obesity and introduce a variety of produce that students otherwise might not have the opportunity to sample. 
The FFVP is a federal grant offered by the United States Dept. of Agriculture to promote an increase in children’s consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables. Funding will help schools expand the variety of fresh fruits and vegetables that children experience in their school lunch, as well as encourage a positive impact on their health.

Selected schools are awarded $50-$75 per student for the school year. Last school year, the Georgia Dept. of Education awarded a totally of $5.2 million in FFVP grants to 188 schools in 40 districts. Since the program began in 2009, nearly $43 million has been awarded to Georgia schools.