CDC Survey Shows Schools Are Cutting Out Candy, Soda and Fatty Foods to
Improve Student Health
Cabot Creamery's "Healthy Living School Grants" Program Provides Matching
Funds For Schools To Develop Healthy Programs For Students
CABOT, Vt., Nov. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- 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.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090918/NE78286LOGO )
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.
For more details on Cabot's Healthy Living School Grants program and to apply
for a grant, go to: http://www.cabotcheese.coop/pages/community_and_you/ and
click on the grants and fundraising tab.
ABOUT CABOT CREAMERY COOPERATIVE
Cabot Creamery Cooperative has been in continuous operation in Vermont since
1919, and we make a full line of cheeses, yogurt, sour cream, cottage cheese,
and butter. Best known as makers of "The World's Best Cheddar," Cabot is owned
by 1200 dairy farm families located throughout New England and upstate New
York. For additional information on Cabot Creamery, visit
http://www.cabotcheese.coop
*Source: CDC School Health Profiles, 2008
Contact: Bob Schiers
(888) 214.9444 or bschiers@cabotcheese.coop
SOURCE Cabot Creamery Cooperative
Bob Schiers of Cabot Creamery Cooperative, +1-888-214-9444,
bschiers@cabotcheese.coop
