Establishing a tobacco-free school environment is not always the easiest thing to do, but it is the right thing to do to protect children and help them develop into healthy adults. Monmouth School Department recently revised and passed an enhanced tobacco policy that goes above and beyond minimum policy requirements. The new policy better communicates Monmouth's commitment to child health and a tobacco-free environment in their schools. The Partnership for a Tobacco Free Maine (PTM) has developed a Policy Guide for Schools that outlines the CDC policy recommendations to become an Exemplary PTM Star School. Some of the recommendations are:

For more information on how your school district can become a Star School, contact Renee Page at rpage@mcd.org.

For many it is difficult to make healthy food choices during tough economic times. Through a partnership between Shaw's Supermarkets and Good Shepherd Food Bank, we can help those most in need provide healthy foods for their families. Collect and mail Shaw's receipts to Good Shepherd Food Bank in Auburn. Shaw's will return 1% of the register totals as a donation to Good Shepherd Food-Bank. Good Shepherd is able to get up to six times more food with cash donations versus food donations. Therefore, your receipts can help provide food for many hungry families in Maine.

 

Download flyers or get more information at the How to Help section of the Good Shepherd website. Go to: www.gsfb.org/how_to_help and click on the Shaw's Receipts link to learn more.
 
For more information contact Helen Donahue at hdonahue@gsfb.org or call Good Shepherd Food-Bank at 207-782-3554.

 

Budget cuts and a suffering economy has put a damper on funding for many wellness initiatives. Here are some wonderful grant opportunities to help supplement those dwindling budgets.

 

SunWise with Shade 2009 National Poster Contest The annual poster contest teaches children in grades K-8 ways to be safe in the sun. The contest runs through April 13, 2009. Prizes range from iPods and sun screen to a weather tracking station and a trip to Disney World. FMI: contact Luke Hall-Jordan at hall-jordan.luke@epa.gov or visit the Shade Foundation website at www.shadefoundation.org.

 

Maine School Food Service Association Scholarships Each year the MSFSA awards scholarships to deserving students pursuing a degree in food service, nutrition, or food service management. Applications must be postmarked by April 17, 2009. Applications are available at the MSFSA website www.mainesfsa.org.

 

Phoenix Farm Community Supported Agriculture Phoenix Farm in Monmouth has increased the number of CSA shares available for the 2009 growing season. CSAs are a wonderful way to eat more locally grown foods as well as support the local economy. FMI: Contact Nancy Chandler 207-933-9370 or visit www.monmouthgrows.com

 

Healthy Sprouts Award Do you plan to have a youth garden program in 2010? If so, the Healthy Sprouts Award supports school and youth garden programs that teach about nutrition and the issue of hunger in the United States. Applications are due October 17, 2009. FMI: visit www.kidsgardening.com and click on grants.

 

Garden Crusader Award Do you know someone who is using gardening to make a difference in his/her community? Nominate that individual and you may win more than $15,000 in cash and gardening gear from Gardener's Supply. Application deadline is June 15, 2009. FMI: visit www.gardeners.com click on the Community link or 1-888-239-1553 or crusader@gardeners.com.

 

School Breakfast Expansion Grants Action for Healthy Kids is offering schools that currently participate in the School Breakfast Program with greater than 50% eligibility for free and reduced-price meals the opportunity to increase their average daily student participation through the implementation of alternative breakfast programs, innovative marketing and promotion practices, and/or enhancement of the school breakfast experience through educational enrichment activities. Awards will range between $500-$2000. Application deadline is April 10, 2009. FMI: visit www.actionforhealthykids.org or download the application