CHICAGO, Nov. 1, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Action for Healthy Kids (AFHK) announced today that it has awarded 400 schools nationwide with Action for Healthy Kids in Schools grants, averaging $2,000 each, for the 2012-2013 school year. The grants, funded by the Walmart Foundation, are part of AFHK's School Grants for Healthy Kids program, which is designed to improve access to healthy foods at school and bolster nutrition education for over 270,000 children.

"These grants have allowed us to give schools direct assistance in the way of money and human resources so they can offer healthier food choices and adopt strong wellness practices within their building," explains AFHK CEO Rob Bisceglie. "These are the kinds of changes that improve students' health over the long term. So, we couldn't be more pleased."

Totaling $1.5 million, the Action for Healthy Kids in Schools grants are part of a broader commitment made by the Walmart Foundation in support of nutrition education in the United States. The funding has enabled AFHK to provide direct support to the 400 schools through mini-grants and health-improving programs ranging from the creation and expansion of summer feeding programs to the placement of healthier foods in competitive food venues, including vending machines and school fundraising events, breakfast programs, and to providing access to healthy foods through food tasting, nutrition education lessons and food curriculum enhancements.

In addition, 20 AFHK State Teams received funding to support school projects in their states, provide those schools with technical assistance, and help them recruit and support local volunteers. (AFHK has State Teams in 50 states and the District of Columbia.)

The grants have been awarded during a time that many of the nation's children are subject to the epidemics of childhood obesity and food insecurity. In fact, one out of three kids in this country is overweight or obese. And, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 17.2 million children (or 23.2 percent of all kids) live in homes that lack the food and proper nutrition they need to thrive. These dual epidemics can threaten children's long-term health and have an adverse effect on their ability to succeed academically. Fortunately, AFHK's grants, technical assistance and volunteer support help schools improve food access and school nutrition practices as well as optimize the impact of their food access and nutrition programming in schools, where children spend so much of their time.

Action for Healthy Kids in Schools grants were distributed to schools in the following states and Washington, D.C.:

For a complete listing of funded schools in each state, visit: http://www.actionforhealthykids.org/campaigns/walmart/action-for-healthy-kids-in.pdf

About Action for Healthy Kids(R)

Action for Healthy Kids(R) fights childhood obesity, undernourishment and physical inactivity by helping schools become healthier places so kids can live healthier lives. We partner with a legion of dedicated volunteers - teachers, students, moms, dads, school wellness experts and more - from within the ranks of our 34,000+ constituency to create healthful school changes. After all, everyone has a part to play in ending the nation's childhood obesity epidemic. Our programs, tools and resources make it possible so that many people can.

Our grassroots efforts are supported by a collaboration of more than 70 organizations, corporations and government agencies. Working together, we're giving kids the keys to health and academic success by meeting them where they are - in the classroom, in the cafeteria and on the playground - with fun physical activity and nutrition lessons and changes that make it possible for them to eat nutritiously and play every day. More information is available at http://www.ActionforHealthyKids.org, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Action-for-Healthy-Kids/267076500068?ref=mf and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Act4HlthyKids.

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Action for Healthy Kids Improves School Nutrition With Support From Walmart