School Grants program promotes better food choices and healthier lifestyles for school kids

A recent survey from the Centers For Disease Control (CDC) indicates that fewer middle school and high school students have access to fatty, salty snacks and sugary soft drinks at school. The survey, compiled from self-administered questionnaires to principals and health teachers nationwide, shows that among the 34 states that collected data the past two years, the median percentage of secondary schools that didn't sell soda or sugary fruit drinks increased from 38 percent to 63 percent. The median percentage of schools that didn't sell candy or salty, fatty snacks increased from 46 percent in 2006 to 64 percent in 2008. That's a trend that Cabot Creamery Cooperative wants to support and sustain.

The Vermont-based dairy cooperative, best known as "Makers of The World's Best Cheddar," has a unique program called "Healthy Living School Grants" that offers health-related matching grants of up to $200 each to schools who want to develop programs that promote good nutrition, healthy food choices and fitness options for young people.

"Our Healthy Living School Grants program is designed to promote better food choices and healthier lifestyles for school kids," said Cabot Community & Education Program Manager, Marie Frohlich. "A wide range of programs are eligible for grant support," Frohlich adds. "They include Wellness Fairs, Nutrition Workshops for coaches, students and parents, programs that promote healthy food choices in school, fitness festivals and many more. We try not to limit the imagination of applicants in terms of what qualifies. There's no end to the types of programs applicants can develop. For example, consider organizing a cooking club, develop garden projects, or implement an exercise program that features a healthy eating component. As long as the focus is on creating healthier choices, we'll consider the grant application," she said.

Cabot will provide matching funds of up to $200 for any qualifying program. Frohlich says Cabot created the matching grant process to encourage schools to reach out to their own local businesses, cooperatives and/or parent clubs and others. Doing this supports sustainability for the initiative, provides awareness about a school's new healthy living idea and participation by community members. The grant application is online and easy to fill out.

If approved, the funds can be used for almost anything associated with your program including: supplies for exhibits, healthy snacks, printing, or whatever the project requires.

Frohlich notes that the Healthy Living School Grants program is a rolling grant application process. Cabot accepts grant requests at any time and incoming applications will be reviewed on a monthly basis. Applicants receive a response on Cabot's decision anywhere from four to six weeks after an application has been submitted.