Stabenow Announces Over $150,000 to Increase Access to Fresh Fruits and Vegetables for Schools in Flint and Genesee County

U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today announced that the Michigan Department of Education will receive $158,750 to help nine additional schools in Flint and Genesee County provide a fresh fruit or vegetable snack to students during the school day. Earlier this year, 24 area schools received over $400,000 for the 2016-2017 school year through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. With the additional funding announced today, all of the eligible schools in Flint and Genesee County (a total of 33 with at least 50 percent of students participating in free or reduced lunch) can offer students an additional fresh fruit or vegetable snack in the upcoming school year.

“Now more than ever, children in Flint need to be eating more healthy fruits and vegetables to help reduce the effects of lead,” said Senator Stabenow. “This additional funding will help our local schools provide an extra fruit or vegetable snack to children who need it most during the day.”

Earlier this year, Senator Stabenow worked with the USDA to expand summer meals for thousands of Flint and Genesee County children. She has also introduced the Improving Child Nutrition Integrity and Access Act to protect crucial nutrition standards in schools, expand support for mothers and infants through WIC, and further expand access to summer meals. The bill passed the Senate Agriculture Committee unanimously in January and is currently waiting for a full Senate vote.

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