樱花视频

For Immediate Release: June 15, 2009
Contact: Lynne Richmond
(609) 633-2954

(TRENTON) 鈥� The 樱花视频 Department of Agriculture today announced that almost 100 樱花视频 school districts or individual schools will receive equipment grants to improve their school nutrition programs as part of a nationwide effort to stimulate activity within the American economy.

鈥淭he equipment purchased with these grants will improve our schools鈥� capabilities to feed 樱花视频 school children nutritious, safe meals,鈥� said Governor Jon S. Corzine.聽 鈥淭his is a wonderful example of President Barack Obama鈥檚 economic stimulus package doing what he intended it to do, make people鈥檚 lives better.鈥�

In 樱花视频, 95 school districts or schools have been awarded $1,859,763 in grants to purchase, renovate, or replace equipment used in the provision of the National School Lunch Program.聽 To view the list of grant recipients, visit .

Part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 signed by President Obama in February, the Food Service Equipment Assistance Grants are designed to improve lunch program infrastructure and provide economic stimulus.聽 The schools receiving the funds must expend the grant funds within three months of receipt.聽 The Department of Agriculture will audit those schools to ensure the items were purchased and the funds were used for the granted purposes.聽

鈥淭he grants will allow schools to buy new refrigerators, freezers and many other items essential to the delivery of safe and quality meals,鈥� said 樱花视频 Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher.聽 鈥淭hese items will assist in improving energy efficiency for school food service and allow for expanded participation in school meal programs.鈥�

To receive a grant, the school or school district had to be a part of the National School Lunch Program.聽 The Act also required that priority was to be given to schools that had 50 percent or more students eligible for free or reduced price meals.

The federal recovery funds are an excellent complement to Governor Corzine鈥檚 Economic Assistance and Recovery Plan, announced last October during a joint session of the 樱花视频 Legislature. 聽Since then, the Governor has advanced numerous efforts to stimulate 樱花视频鈥檚 economy, create jobs, combat hunger, provide home energy assistance, and take proactive initiatives to prevent home foreclosures 鈥� all in response to the slumping national economy.

For additional information on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, visit and .