President's Message, September 2024
Kate Tigue, MD, FAAP
Dear Colleagues,
The beginning of September marks the start of a new academic year for most Pennsylvania school students, and while pediatricians are busy with back-to-school well exams, sports physicals, and endless forms for all our patients, parents are thinking about school supplies, clothing, transportation, and after-school childcare. One important support for parents as the school year begins is access to affordable and nutritious school meals.
The 2024-25 Pennsylvania budget provided ongoing funding for PA’s Free School Breakfast Program, which helps to ensure that children across Pennsylvania can start the school day with energy to help improve focus and educational outcomes. This program supplements schools in addition to the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), serving nutritional meals to millions of children across Pennsylvania and the nation.
Unfortunately, food insecurity in Pennsylvania is not new and is a struggle for too many of our children and families. According to Feeding America’s annual Map the Meal Gap study, over 1.5 million Pennsylvanians, including more than 436,000 children, are facing hunger. Conditions have worsened over the last several years due to factors related to the COVID-19 pandemic, job losses, rising food costs, and supply chain disruptions. Locally, we have all seen shortages and struggles to keep community food bank shelves full to help aid those in need.
Considering these challenges, now is the time to update local resources for our families so we can share them in our offices and hospitals. Identifying food insecurity is only one part of the problem. Where can we assist to help our most vulnerable patients and families access resources?
I recently learned that this year, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has awarded $7.3 million in grant funding for the federal Fresh Fruits and Vegetable Program (FFVP) for 268 schools in Pennsylvania. Under the program, selected schools receive grants to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to students during the school day at no cost to families. These fresh fruits and vegetables must be provided separately from the lunch or breakfast meal, in one or more areas of the school during the school day.
The goal of FFVP is to introduce children to fresh fruits and vegetables, to include new and different varieties, and to increase overall acceptance and consumption of fresh, unprocessed produce. Additionally, the program promotes nutrition education, resulting in healthier school environments for learners.
To be eligible, schools must participate in the National School Lunch Program. FFVP prioritizes schools with the highest percentage of children eligible for free and reduced-price meals in order to give children from low-income families more opportunities to consume fresh produce on a regular basis.
If you see regional schools in your community on the awardee list, be sure to remind your patients and families to search for these healthy food items daily. Every opportunity for exposure to healthy nutrition in a child’s early years can have a tremendous impact on their lifelong health.
Stay well,
The beginning of September marks the start of a new academic year for most Pennsylvania school students, and while pediatricians are busy with back-to-school well exams, sports physicals, and endless forms for all our patients, parents are thinking about school supplies, clothing, transportation, and after-school childcare. One important support for parents as the school year begins is access to affordable and nutritious school meals.
The 2024-25 Pennsylvania budget provided ongoing funding for PA’s Free School Breakfast Program, which helps to ensure that children across Pennsylvania can start the school day with energy to help improve focus and educational outcomes. This program supplements schools in addition to the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), serving nutritional meals to millions of children across Pennsylvania and the nation.
Unfortunately, food insecurity in Pennsylvania is not new and is a struggle for too many of our children and families. According to Feeding America’s annual Map the Meal Gap study, over 1.5 million Pennsylvanians, including more than 436,000 children, are facing hunger. Conditions have worsened over the last several years due to factors related to the COVID-19 pandemic, job losses, rising food costs, and supply chain disruptions. Locally, we have all seen shortages and struggles to keep community food bank shelves full to help aid those in need.
Considering these challenges, now is the time to update local resources for our families so we can share them in our offices and hospitals. Identifying food insecurity is only one part of the problem. Where can we assist to help our most vulnerable patients and families access resources?
I recently learned that this year, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has awarded $7.3 million in grant funding for the federal Fresh Fruits and Vegetable Program (FFVP) for 268 schools in Pennsylvania. Under the program, selected schools receive grants to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to students during the school day at no cost to families. These fresh fruits and vegetables must be provided separately from the lunch or breakfast meal, in one or more areas of the school during the school day.
The goal of FFVP is to introduce children to fresh fruits and vegetables, to include new and different varieties, and to increase overall acceptance and consumption of fresh, unprocessed produce. Additionally, the program promotes nutrition education, resulting in healthier school environments for learners.
To be eligible, schools must participate in the National School Lunch Program. FFVP prioritizes schools with the highest percentage of children eligible for free and reduced-price meals in order to give children from low-income families more opportunities to consume fresh produce on a regular basis.
If you see regional schools in your community on the awardee list, be sure to remind your patients and families to search for these healthy food items daily. Every opportunity for exposure to healthy nutrition in a child’s early years can have a tremendous impact on their lifelong health.
Stay well,
Kate Tigue, MD, FAAP
President, PA AAP
2024-2026
President, PA AAP
2024-2026