MNPS Schools Awarded Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Grant

Thank you Councilman Duane Dominy for your leadership and support of this very important health and wellness inititative for our children.
RESOLUTION NO. RS2009-694
A resolution in support of the Fresh Fruits and Vegetables for Healthier Children Program.
WHEREAS, the Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Program was initiated in 2008 and with funding slated to increase annually the program is available for each eligible school in Tennessee grades pre-K to 8th-grade of which 97 Metro Nashville Public Schools are eligible for grants to purchase, prepare and distribute fresh fruits and vegetables; and
WHEREAS, it is encouraging each Metropolitan Nashville Public School eligible to apply for these grants which help provide funds to buy fresh fruits and vegetables as this program is an important catalyst for change in our efforts to combat childhood obesity by helping children learn more healthy eating habits and to introduce Nashville’s children to healthier snack choices in schools; and
WHEREAS, introducing fresh fruits and vegetables to the students through the schools is one way to provide some nutrition which they may otherwise not get; and expand the variety of fruits and vegetables children experience which will make a difference in children’s diets to impact their present and future health; and
WHEREAS, children need good nutrition to help them stay alert and learn at school. Nourished children who are not hungry make fewer trips to the school nurse’s office and have better school attendance and less tardiness. Fruits and vegetables are a big part of good nutrition and this program enables children to benefit who may have limited access to nutritious foods outside of school because of financial constraints at home; and
WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council expresses their support for the Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Program created by the 2008 farm bill for Healthier Children Program and its desire that all eligible Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools submit an application.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. The Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record in support of the Fresh Fruits and Vegetables for Healthier Children Program.
Section 2. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.
Sponsored by: Duane Dominy

Introduced:
April 7, 2009
Adopted:
April 7, 2009
Approved:
April 9, 2009
By: Karl F. Dean
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MNPS Schools Awarded Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Grant
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 26, 2009) – Eight MNPS schools will work to make students healthier in the 2009-2010 school year thanks to more than $169,000 in funding from the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP).
The following elementary schools will receive funds to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables for students:
Hattie Cotton Elementary $27,154
Glenview Elementary $31,313
Haywood Elementary $33,417
Hermitage Elementary $12,174
KIPP Academy $7,315
Murrell School $3,206
Shwab Elementary $15,130
Una Elementary $40,030
In all, Metro Schools will receive $169,739 from the state program. Schools principals will work with their cafeteria managers to coordinate the purchase and distribution of fresh fruits and vegetables. These healthy snacks will be free for all students. During the 2008-2009 school year, H.G. Hill Middle and Haynes Design Center participated in the program. Over the course of the year, students were provided more than $18,000 worth of fresh fruits and vegetables. About FFVPThe Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program was created by the 2008 farm bill. Its primary goals are to create healthier school environments by providing healthier food choices, to expand the variety of fruits and vegetables children experience, to increase children’s fruit and vegetable consumptions, and to make a difference in children’s diets to impact their present and future health. This program is an important component in combating childhood obesity and has been made a permanent program under the National School Lunch Act. Metro Nashville Public Schools provide a range of educational opportunities to more than 75,000 students in Nashville and Davidson County . The governing body for MNPS is the Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County Board of Public Education, a nine-member group elected by residents of Metropolitan Nashville. For more information, please visit http://www.mnps.org/. # # #