2 Elementaries Get Grants for Fruits and Veggies

Students at two elementary schools will receive free fruits and vegetables throughout the school year thanks to a state grant announced Tuesday.

and elementary school students will get a free fruit or vegetable snack at least three times a week, on top of whatever they have for breakfast and lunch.

Students who don't have enough nutritious food to eat can have a tough time succeeding in school," State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson said in a press release. "Not only will these grants provide fresh fruits and vegetables to elementary school kids, they will also help the local economy by encouraging schools to buy produce from local farmers."

The schools were awarded $55 per student: John Reith will receive $38,000 for the upcoming school year, while Union House will get nearly $50,000. The first part of their funding, totaling a few thousand dollars, was given out on July 1, and they'll receive the rest on Oct. 22.

The Elk Grove schools, along with the other 340 sites, were chosen based on the percentage of students there who receive free or reduced-price meals. In this round of funding, only schools with 85.28 percent or more of students receiving those meals were chosen.

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Do your kids attend John Reith Elementary School or Union House Elementary School? Tell us in the comments section below.

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