FNS PR 0002-2004
Contact: Susan Acker (703) 305-2286
Jean Daniel (202) 720-3310
Joint Federal Pilot Projects
Promote Fresh Fruits and Vegetables in Schools
OXFORD, MS, April 23, 2004 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, today launched the first of 25 pilot projects at schools in Mississippi to increase consumption of fruits and vegetables by students.
“This program illustrates how federal agencies, states, and schools can work together to make a difference in the lives of our children,” said Agriculture Under Secretary Eric M. Bost. “This pilot project will help educate students about the importance of good nutrition, including eating fresh fruit and vegetables. We know that far too many young people are struggling with overweight and obesity and that now, more than ever, children need our help in building good eating habits so they can have a long and healthy life.”
The inaugural pilot school is Oxford Elementary, which plans to offer free fresh fruits and vegetables to all students at snack time. In addition, the school will coordinate the snacks with its classroom nutrition education activities.
Educational materials will be provided by the CDC and USDA as well as the National 5-A-Day Partnership. The funding, appropriated under Public Law 108-199, is from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Division of Adolescent and School Health. Mississippi and Iowa were each given $1 million for pilots that will operate during the 2004-2005school year. The other Mississippi schools will be announced shortly. Iowa will use the money to continue projects funded by USDA in 2002.
Under Secretary Bost was joined by Dr. Mary McKenna, Ph.D., health scientist, CDC’s Division of Adolescent and School Health. "Encouraging our children to eat at least five fruits and vegetables a day and to understand why it’s important is a public health priority,” McKenna said. “Schools can help make this happen.”
“The school projects in Mississippi, and others begun two years ago in Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and New Mexico, are effective and innovative efforts to help children live longer, better and healthier lives,” Bost said. “Providing healthy foods in schools is a key component of President Bush’s HealthierUS initiative.”
For more information on the USDA Food and Nutrition Service and its programs, please visit
http://www.fns.usda.gov/fns .
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Addendum:
May 10, 2004 –
The 25 Mississippi schools receiving funding are:
School District |
School Name |
|
Amory School District |
East Amory Elementary School |
Choctaw County School District |
Weir Attendance Center |
Corinth School District |
West Corinth Elementary School |
DeSoto County School District |
Horn Lake Elementary School |
East Tallahatchie School District |
Charleston Elementary School District |
Greenville School District |
Weddington Elementary School |
Greenwood School District |
Bankston Elementary School |
Greenwood School District |
Greenwood High School |
Gulfport School District |
Pass Road Elementary School |
Hattiesburg School District |
Rowan Elementary School |
Jackson Public School District |
Barr Elementary School |
Jackson Public School District |
Siwell Middle School |
Laurel School District |
Mason Elementary School |
Madison County School District |
Madison Station Elementary School |
Mound Bayou School District |
John F. Kennedy High School |
Nettleton School District |
Nettleton High School |
Oxford School District |
Oxford Elementary School |
Pearl River County School District |
Pearl River Central Elementary |
Petal School District |
Petal Elementary School |
Pontotoc City School District |
D. T. Cox Middle School |
South Delta School District |
South Delta Elementary School |
South Panola School District |
Batesville Elementary School |
Starkville School District |
Overstreet Elementary School |
Starkville School District |
Sudduth Elementary School |
Tate County School District |
East Tate Elementary School |
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