OSGMP Awards Nine FFA Chapters with Grants

The Ohio Small Grains Marketing Program (OSGMP) is sponsoring a statewide competition among FFA chapters to increase awareness about the nutritional value of a diet with whole grains. OSGMP awarded nine chapters* with $500 scholarships to implement programs in their school systems and will select one program as the winning chapter to award $2,000 for future program implementation.

The most recent campaign took place at Miami East High School, which went “healthy” during the week of November 14, designated as “Healthy Lifestyles Week.”

The school’s FFA “Healthy Lifestyle Committee” sponsored a “Food For Thought” log in which, students and staff recorded their food and drink consumption during a day. During study halls, students received a healthy snack for keeping their log updated. Snacks included an apple, orange or banana, a low-fat whole-grain snack bar, water and a non-fat yogurt. Dannon Company donated the yogurt.

Additionally, the high school attended a Healthy Lifestyles Fair during lunch. Displays were provided by the Upper Valley Medical Center Sports Medicine, Miami Valley Hospital, Stone’s Throw Cooperative, Miami East Schools’ Nurse Jeanelle Adkins and the Farm to Consumer Foundation.

A canned food drive for students and staff was coordinated. For every five items an individual donated, the student’s name was entered into a drawing to throw a pie at school Principal Tim Williams at an all-school assembly. All cans donated will be given to the Fletcher Food Bank at the Fletcher United Methodist Church. About 1,000 cans were collected.

Finally, in celebration of the Miami East FFA’s 53rd birthday, all chapter members were invited to participate in a chapter carry-in. The challenge for the carry-in was to collect water, lean meats and whole-grains, low-fat and non-fat food items.

All unused grant funds will be donated to the Fletcher Food Bank.

*Nine Ohio FFA Chapters Receiving $500 Grants:

• Ridgemont FFA
• Mt. Gilead FFA
• Northwestern FFA
• Clear Fork FFA
• London FFA
• Miami East FFA
• Ridgedale FFA
• North Union FFA
• Twin Valley South FFA