DeLauro Announces $2,464,720 in Funding for Improved Nutrition in Connecticut Schools

USDA grant part of $158 million being provided to schools around the country

Washington, DC— Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-3), Ranking Member on the Labor, Education, Health, and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee, announced $2,464,720 in funding for improving the nutrition of Connecticut’s school lunches.

The funds are part of a more than $158 million investment by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in improving the health of American children and will expand their Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. Authorized by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, which Congresswoman DeLauro supported, this program provides free fresh fruit and vegetables to children throughout the school day. States will provide funding to schools based on criteria in this law, resulting in an additional 950,000 students being served in the 2011-2012 school year.

“By making more fresh fruits and vegetables available in our schools, we will begin to address the obesity epidemic by helping eliminate the junk food in our schools, and providing kids with better food choices. These critical funds will help our kids get the nutritious foods they need to stay healthy and to grow, learn, and succeed.”