Bristol Delegation Applauds Grants to Enhance Farm-to-School Programs

BRISTOL – State Representatives Cara Pavalock-D’Amato (R-77) and Joe Hoxha (R-78) applauded the announcement from the Department of Agriculture to award more than $42,000 in grants to Bristol to enhance farm-to-school programs.

The Bristol Child Development Center was awarded $18,600 for their “Little Chef” program. Established last year, this program teaches students and their parents about nutrition and farming through the use of interactive lessons.

Greene Hills Elementary and Ivy Drive Schools received a combined $24,090 to pilot an after-school agriculture and nutrition program at the schools. The grant will also assist with the installation of a greenhouse and tower gardens.

“This is great news for the City of Bristol and for the many children who will benefit from participating in the types of agricultural programs these grants will help fund,” Rep. Pavalock-D’Amato said. “Teaching children of all ages the importance of a healthy lifestyle begins in the kitchen, so to be able to pair the educational piece with a hands-on approach these types of programs provide children are skills that they will ultimately be able to carry on into adulthood.”

“Grants such as these, help showcase our local agriculture, while providing students and parents with a great education about where their food comes from, which is needed today,” Rep. Hoxha said. “These programs not only supply our local schools with fresh produce but also show kids how to incorporate them as part of a healthy lifestyle. Thank you to the Department of Agriculture for recognizing and building on the programs we have in Bristol.”

Money received as part of the Connecticut Grown for Connecticut Kids Grant are meant to increase the “availability of local foods in child nutrition programs, allow educators to use hands-on educational techniques to teach students about nutrition and farm-to-school connections, sustain relationships with local farmers and producers, enrich the educational experience of students, improve the health of children in the state and enhance the state’s economy,” according to the Department of Agriculture.

In total, 32 grants were awarded to cities and towns across the state.

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