On March 28, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) Tom Vilsack announced the launch of the Education and Obesity Grant Funding Program. The program provides grant funds and flexibility to states to implement nutrition and obesity prevention activities for low-income families to encourage healthy food choices and increased physical activity. The grant program is authorized by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) nutrition education provisions in the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010. States are permitted to use the funding awarded in the program to deliver services at the individual, community or state agency policy level. USDA highlighted establishment of community gardens and bringing local farmers markets to low-income areas as examples of allowable activities under the grant program.

Link(s): Announcement