AG DEPARTMENT GIVING WV SCHOOLS MONEY TO SERVE FRESH PRODUCE

(05/07/2008)
The Department of Agriculture is willing to give West Virginia schools a quarter of a million dollars to offer some fresh produce to kids.

The produce will be served during snack time, they say to give kids a chance to think healthy and try something new.

Healthy choices are not always the first choice for many children, and not always the first option for parents.

"Grocery prices have soared recently. It's difficult to make any food dollar stretch, no matter where it comes from," said Kathy Talley, Coordinator of Nutrition Education & Training for the WV Dept. of Education.

Schools with a poverty rate of more than half can apply to get part of $225,000 from the Department of Agriculture to buy fresh produce, to be sold during snack times at school a few times a day.

Talley is hoping the new program can help fill a child's stomach but slim down the waistline at the same time. According to statistics West Virginia having some of the most obese students in the USA.