Over $100,000 awarded for fresh produce in New Castle schools

Pennsylvania Representative Chris Sainato announced on Wednesday that New Castle was awarded nearly $103,000 in grant funding to expand the supply of fresh fruits and vegetables available to students.

The funding was awarded under the USDA's Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program and includes $52,150 to the Harry W. Lockley Early Learning Center and $50,750 to Washington Intermediate School.

The two schools were among 266 elementary schools in the Commonwealth that received a total of $7 million in funding through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.

"We have known for years that nutritious, natural snacks sharpen focus and reduce hyperactivity in kids, while the additives in junk food do just the opposite," Sainato said.

Funding priority was given to the schools with the highest rates of students eligible for free and reduced-price meals.

Recipients are required to spend the majority of their funding to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables and must develop a plan to establish partnerships to reduce other costs.

Schools are required to provide nutritional education to students but cannot use funding from this grant to purchase nutrition education materials.