U.S. Apple launches 2023-24 Apples4Ed Grant Program

The U.S. Apple Association has launched the 2023-24 Apples4Ed grant program.

The group’s charitable initiative supports healthy eating projects in public schools across the country, according to a news release. Five $5,000 grants will be given to schools that are bringing awareness to nutrition and exposing students to a wider variety of fresh fruits and vegetables.

This year Apples4Ed is focused on teaching children the basics of healthy eating and pairing that knowledge with fun outcomes, the release said.

U.S. Apple’s social media accounts will highlight some of the fun benefits of kids choosing nutritious foods, like having more energy to play basketball or better focus to enjoy a good book, the release said.

“Teaching students how to make healthy food choices benefits them long after the school year ends,” Lynsee Gibbons, director of communications for U.S. Apple, said in the release. “Exposing them to fresh produce in a fun and enjoyable way makes them more apt to develop healthy eating habits that can last a lifetime. We’re honored to invest in the health and well-being of our future generation with Apples4Ed.”

From healthy snack “fuel stations” and cooking lessons to 5K races and rooftop gardens, Apples4Ed has supported a variety of programs in schools across the country, the release said. (View past winners at this link.)

 The 2023-24 Apples4Ed submission form can be found online, the release said. 

Public schools with students enrolled in any grade from kindergarten through 12th are eligible to apply. Applications are due by Jan. 25, 2024. Winners will be selected and announced in March 2024, the release said.

Applications are juried by a panel of judges that take into consideration the level of creativity, longevity, student impact, logistics and community involvement of the program, according to the release.

Apples4Ed also has new resources available for teachers, including posters for classrooms and coloring workbooks for students.

Related link: Learn more at Apples4Ed.com