Tuesday, February 23, 2010

$350,000 grant boosts nutrition programs

WORCESTER —  A $354,375 grant awarded yesterday will boost efforts to reduce hunger and improve access to nutritious foods, officials said.

Hunger-Free & Healthy, a project of the Worcester Food Advisory Council, will use the funds this year to increase participation in free breakfast programs, improve the quality of meals in Worcester public schools and boost access to farmers markets and food stamp programs.

The grant increases the Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts’ total support for the program to $1.1 million.

The council approached the foundation four years ago seeking multi-year support for a program that fundamentally changed how hunger is addressed, said Janice Yost, foundation president.

At a City Hall press conference, both Mayor Joseph C. O’Brien and school Superintendent Melinda J. Boone lauded the effort. Ms. Boone said adequate nutrition and well-fed children contribute to successful school performance. In Worcester, 72 percent of public school children receive free or reduced-price lunch.

The funding will help introduce fresh fruits and vegetables into some Worcester school cafeterias that contract with a private vendor to deliver prepared meals, officials said.