Broad Street Elementary Won Fresh Produce Grant

The school received $17,000 as part of a state effort to expand student access to fruits and vegetables.

Updated on Sept. 27, 2026 in Healthy Food

Bold vector editorial illustration of a crate overflowing with fresh produce, representing school nutrition funding. — Broad Street Elementary School in Butler, Pennsylvania, secured a $17,000 grant to provide students with expanded access to fresh fruits and vegetables. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Broad Street Elementary School in the Butler Area School District has been awarded over $17,000 in grant funding to provide fresh produce for its students. The award is part of a larger Pennsylvania initiative distributing federal funds to improve nutritional access.

Why it matters

The grant aims to increase consumption of nutritious foods among students by removing barriers to access. This federal program specifically prioritizes schools serving communities with high rates of students eligible for free or reduced-price meals.

Broad Street Elementary received $17,000 in grant funding. This is part of a statewide distribution of over $7 million across 250 schools in 29 Pennsylvania counties.

The players

Broad Street Elementary School

This educational institution is located within the Butler Area School District and serves as a local recipient of the federal produce grant.

Pennsylvania Department of Education

This state-level agency is responsible for the administration and distribution of the federal Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Grant Program funding.

The details

The funding originates from the federal Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Grant Program, which is dispersed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Priority for these grants is given to institutions with the highest density of students who qualify for free or reduced-price meal plans.

September 27, 2026: The grant award was confirmed.

Roadmap

This state-level initiative operates under the framework of the federal Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Grant Program to address regional nutritional disparities. By focusing on schools with high rates of free or reduced-price meal eligibility, the program bridges a critical gap in local public health.

Students at the school will gain consistent, direct access to fresh fruits and vegetables during the school day. This reduces the need for families to provide these items as part of packed lunches or morning snacks.

The takeaway

This funding provides an immediate boost to student nutrition by ensuring fresh options are available on campus. Schools and families can look for similar programs that prioritize high-need districts to further support student wellness.