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

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

  • Three U.S. Universities Install Acre Security Access Control Platform

    Cloud-native physical and digital security solutions company Acre Security recently announced that it has deployed its access control platform at three major universities in the U.S., according to a news release. Acre partnered with Atrium Campus to provide coverage for more than 69,000 students at the University of Virginia (UVA), George Mason University, and Rockhurst University.

  • Lawrence Group Announces Expansion of Student Housing Studio

    Integrated planning and design firm Lawrence Group recently announced that it has hired Nick Naeger, AIA, as the new Associate Principal / Senior Project Manager at its headquarters in St. Louis, Mo., according to a news release.

  • Armstrong World Industries Acquires Geometrik

    Armstrong World Industries, designer and manufacturer of interior and exterior architectural applications like ceilings, walls, and metal solutions, recently announced its acquisition of Canada-based Geometrik, according to a news release. The British Columbian Geometrik specializes in designing and manufacturing wood acoustical and wall systems.

  • California School District Starts Construction on Public Safety Center

    The San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) recently announced that construction has begun on a new public safety center that will house the district’s safety and security programs. According to a news release, the James Ramos Center for Public Safety will measure in at 17,140 square feet and contain the district’s Police Department, Office of Emergency Management, and cadet program.

Digital Edition