WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced $746,436 in new federal funds to support physical education and nutrition programs in Lake County aimed at introducing students to healthy, lifelong habits. Lake County General Health District, the recipient of the grant, will oversee the implementation of these programs at schools across the county.

“This is excellent news for the children of Lake County,” Brown said. “Teaching students the importance of physical activity and a balanced diet is critical in aiding their development. Healthy students perform better in the classroom and these programs will give students the skills they need to make healthy choices well into adulthood.”

The funds were awarded by the U.S. Department of Education through the Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP). PEP awarded grants to Local Education Agencies (LEAs) and community-based organizations (CBOs) to help students meet state standards for physical education. All programs must emphasize nutrition and healthy eating as well as physical education activities that achieve at least one of the following:

  • Aiding students in understanding, advancing, or maintaining their physical well being through fitness education;
  • Developing the physical, mental, social, or emotional skills of students through physical activities and motor skills;
  • Teaching students to think about and understand motor skills and physical fitness in a manner that support healthy living;
  • Using physical activity participation to encourage positive social and cooperative development; and
  • Creating professional development opportunities for physical education teachers to stay informed about research, issues, and trends in the field.

Brown recognizes the importance of good nutrition on students’ development. While serving as Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Hunger, Nutrition, and Family Farms, Brown wrote the Hunger-Free Schools Act, which would help reduce paperwork and enroll already-eligible students in childhood nutrition programs through direct certification. Brown’s bill was the centerpiece of the anti-hunger component of a new law, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. During Agriculture Committee consideration of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, Brown successfully passed two bipartisan amendments to the legislation. One of those amendments, a piece of legislation offered with Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN), ensures greater access to summer feeding programs for children. Another amendment, offered with Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), authorizes a pilot program to provide affordable organic choices in school feeding programs. This program is a crucial first step in proving the viability and value of organic foods in the over 30 million school lunches served each day. 

 

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