Nov. 01, 2021
HARRISBURG – Reps. Tina Pickett (R-Bradford/Sullivan/Susquehanna) and Jonathan Fritz (R-Susquehanna/Wayne) announced Montrose Area School District received more than $3,000 in a Farm to School Grant administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture to build school gardens for second grade curriculum.
The Pennsylvania Farm to School Grant Program provides schools with funding to improve access to healthy, local foods and increase agriculture education opportunities for pre-kindergarten through fifth grade.
“Giving our children the knowledge to grow and prepare their own food will benefit them greatly throughout their lifetime,” said Pickett. “Not only is the knowledge important but having access to healthy foods is also essential for them to live a healthy lifestyle. I am happy to see that Montrose Area School District will be able to take advantage of these funds and continue to help our children achieve a better, healthy future.”
“I am pleased to help facilitate bringing resources to our Montrose School District,” said Fritz. “So much of our way of life depends on growing produce and harnessing the potential bounty of our rich soil. These youngsters will realize knowledge that will benefit them their entire life.”
The program aims to bridge the gap between children and the food system by connecting them to the fresh, healthy food available from Pennsylvania agricultural producers in their community and the surrounding areas. Through changing food purchasing and education practices at schools and early childhood education sites, children will become more aware and engaged with their local food system as well as empowered to leverage their own consumer influence to support Pennsylvania agriculture.
Representative Tina Pickett
110th District
Representative Jonathan Fritz
111th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives