Three U-46 elementary schools get food grants

Three Elgin Area School District U-46 campuses will have the opportunity to get fresh next fall.

Parkwood Elementary School in Hanover Park and Huff and Highland elementary schools in Elgin are among 141 schools selected for the federally-funded Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.

The schools, according to a State Board of Education news release, will share a $2.2 million pot based on enrollment numbers.

The program allots $50 for each student to be exposed to new foods and learn healthy eating habits.

Schools were chosen for the program based on the number of free and reduced price lunches and the percentage of low-income and minority students. More than 400 schools across the state applied for the grant; up from just 50 last year.

According to 2008 state report cards, 76.5 percent of Parkwood's 413 students come from low-income homes, and 87 percent are minorities. Approximately 71 percent of Highland's 553 students are low income; 81 percent are minorities. And 70 percent of Huff's 624 students are low-income; 85 percent are minorities.

The healthy eating grant stipulates that produce purchased cannot be used to replace fruits or vegetables already being served to students during school breakfasts or lunches.

Parkwood, Highland and Huff are the only Fox Valley schools to be selected. Across the Northwest Suburbs, Euclid Elementary School in Mount Prospect, John F. Kennedy Elementary School in Schiller Park, and Turner Elementary School in West Chicago will also receive grant money.

Highland was the only U-46 school to be part of the program during the 2008-09 school year.