In a quest to improve overall student health and nutrition Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School recently received a grant to fund new kitchen and fitness equipment at the high school.

The $3,475 grant was provided by the New England Dairy & Food Council, from their "Fuel Up to Play 60" grant program. The program is meant to foster better nutrition and physical fitness in students from elementary school to high school. Grants of up to $4,000 per school are made available every year.

According to a press release from Old Colony, grant funding will provide a new sliding-door cooler to expand dairy options and increase milk sales. Old Colony will be able to offer healthy, pre-packaged meals with the addition of the new cooler.

“The support of Fuel Up to Play 60 has made a huge impact on the health of our students. More students are choosing school meals because of the expansion of options and faster lines. Smoothie sales have tripled with the new cooler,” explained Crystal Andrade,  Old Colony's Cafeteria Manager.

The funding will also be used to implement and expand the school’s newly adopted wellness policy.  Funds will support the purchase of mobile fitness equipment that can be moved from classroom to classroom. New equipment used during the fitness breaks will include stability balls, kettlebells, dumbbells, and medicine balls.