October 29, 2009 -- The clock’s ticking on your opportunity to win a $10,000 grant to support increased access to and consumption of fresh produce during school meals in your elementary school. The Love Your Veggies™ grant program, sponsored by the makers of Hidden Valley® Salad Dressings in partnership with School Nutrition Foundation (SNF), is now in its fourth year. The grant deadline is November 6. For complete information, visit www.LoveYourVeggies.com

Application Tips

With today’s tight budgets, any extra funds to help increase fresh produce in schools are welcome. With only 10 grants nationwide, how do you make your application stand out? It is important to develop a complete and concise plan that meets the key priorities of the program

• Read the grant application and selection criteria carefully. Incorporate key information into your ideas and your plan for implementing the program.
• Get input from others. It is challenging to thing through the steps, timeline, and budget alone. Furthermore, if you do receive a grant, you will need the support of others to make it work. Start now by included your key partners in deciding what you will do with your grant.
• Think sustainability. Grants are a great way to get new programs started. However, funders are always interested in how the program that you start will continue even when the grant funds run out. Think about how you are planting a seed and how that seed will continue to grow to keep encouraging your students to eat more fresh produce at school.

Related Link

www.LoveYourVeggies.com