HENDERSON, Nev. (July 21, 2021) – The City of Henderson today announced it was awarded Nevada’s only Farm-to-School 2021 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service. The grant, which totals $88,218, will be used to fund and create hydroponic gardening systems at four local elementary schools.
This grant will allow elementary students to participate in hands-on physical science learning, demonstrations and student-operated farmer’s markets in coordination with local nonprofit Green Our Planet.
The following four schools were selected to participate in this program based on their proximity to Opportunity Zones in East Henderson as well as their need for increased access to healthy, local food:
Robert Taylor Elementary School
Gordon McCaw Elementary School
Fay Galloway Elementary School
J. Marlan Walker Elementary School
“At-risk neighborhoods frequently lack many of the resources needed to support good health,” said Henderson Community Development and Services Director Michael Tassi. “The City of Henderson values the importance of building healthy communities for all of our residents and we were thrilled to have this opportunity to continue to focus on health and education.”
This funding is a direct implementation item of the Henderson Strong Comprehensive Plan which focuses on education and healthy lifestyles among other key topics. The grant was pursued and secured by the Long-Range Planning Division of the Community Development and Services Department which will support the installation of the hydroponic gardening systems in addition to the construction of outdoor gardens and programming.
Beginning in the 2021-2022 school year, the USDA’s Farm-to-School grant program will support 176 grants, serving 6,800 schools and more than 1.4 million students. More than 65 percent of the children served in participating schools are eligible for free and reduced-price meals.
For more information on similar initiatives and other Community Development and Services happenings visit cityofhenderson.com/planning.
###
