Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Schools and PTAs Across the Country Awarded Grants to Support School Meal Improvements

  • 09/26/16

Alexandria, Va. — National PTA is pleased to award over $60,000 in grants to schools and PTAs across the country to help improve the quality of, access to and participation in school meals. The grants are part of the association’s ongoing efforts to ensure all children have a safe and healthy environment in which to thrive and learn.

“Healthy students make better learners, and school meals are an opportunity for children to receive more than half of their daily nutrient needs. Ensuring children have access to nutritious foods in schools is critical to their success,” said Laura Bay, president of National PTA. “We are pleased to equip PTAs and schools nationwide with the necessary resources to support and advocate for stronger school meal programs.”

Twenty-five local PTAs have been selected to receive grants of $2,000 each to partner with their school leaders, food service team and families to help schools build on the progress they have made in serving students healthier meals. The following state PTAs also have been chosen to receive grants of $5,000 each.

  • Minnesota PTA will collaborate with state leaders to develop a communications campaign to educate families about the importance of healthy school meals.
  • Nevada PTA will use the grant to increase the number of schools in the state that provide free breakfast and lunch to all students.
  • South Carolina PTA will partner with state leaders to design a statewide campaign to increase awareness among students and families of school meals.

“PTA leaders, members and families play an important role in helping schools implement improved meal and snack offerings,” added Nathan R. Monell, CAE, National PTA executive director. “At the national, state and local levels, PTA is committed to ensuring families are engaged and families and schools collaborate to strengthen programs that make a difference for the health, well-being and long-term success of our nation’s children.”

The Healthy School Meals grants are funded in part by the Kids’ Safe and Healthful Foods Project, a collaboration between The Pew Charitable Trusts and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

“PTAs helped launch the National School Lunch Program 70 years ago, and their support remains key to success in student nutrition,” said Jessica Donze Black, director of the Kids’ Safe and Healthful Foods Project. “The partnerships these grantees are forming with food service leaders — and the results they’ll achieve together — will inspire and inform greater engagement between the schools and the families they serve in communities nationwide.”

In addition to awarding the grants, National PTA has released a School Meals Leader’s Guide to help PTAs, school leaders, food service professionals and families partner on school meal improvements efforts. To learn more, visit www.pta.org.

Featured

  • Designing the Bridge Between Inclusivity and Independence in K–12 Schools

    Fostering independence is fundamental to learning and development for K–12 students. It offers many proven benefits, such as enhanced confidence, problem-solving, decision-making, and social skills. However, this foundational objective loses its impact if it’s not accessible and adaptable to all students. Inclusivity plays a critical role in cultivating independence and healthy autonomy for students, fostering positive student learning outcomes by uniting pedagogy with the physical learning environment.

  • Minnesota District Completes Renovations to 3 Schools

    South Washington County Schools in Woodbury, Minn., recently completed major renovation projects to three of its schools, according to a news release. The district partnered with Kraus-Anderson for construction services, and the upgrades were part of a larger referendum that voters approved in fall 2024.

  • Western Kentucky University Breaks Ground on First Phase of $350M Student Housing Project

    Western Kentucky University (WKU) in Bowling Green, Ky., recently broke ground on the first phase of a $350-million student housing initiative, according to a news release. The university is partnering with Gilbane Development through a public-private partnership (P3) to replace aging residence halls and modernize on-campus living accommodations.

  • Sam Houston State University Completes Athletic Stadium Renovations

    Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, recently announced the reopening of Elliott T. Bowers Stadium after an extensive renovation project, according to a news release. The university partnered with Stantec and DLR Group for the project’s design.