At the elementary school my sons attend they have a unique opportunity to select two “theaters of learning” each school year. These are short, elective courses where you can learn more about things that are of interest to you but are not part of the regular school curriculum. My youngest, Nick, chose a nutrition course and he really benefited from it. His consumption of vegetables grew as did his knowledge on nutrition and exercise. As a mom, I was very pleased.

The funder I’d like to highlight today is also concerned with children’s health. The timing of this grant coincides with the United Nation’s International Year of the Potato 2008. This effort by the U.N. is aimed at raising awareness of the importance of the potato, and of agriculture in general while focusing in on reducing global poverty and hunger.

The effort by my grant pick this week has a more local focus: helping kids to learn about better nutrition choices in their own schools.

This Week’s Pick: The U.S. Potato Board and the School Nutrition Foundation are working together to launch the School Wellness Grant Program. The Program will award ten U.S. Public elementary schools funds for equipment and/or educational programs that will aid in improving health for students. Eligible applicants include school administrators, foodservice staff, teachers and parents. Grants total $2,500 each and applications are due by April 15, 2008. Click here for more details.