By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

THE federal government has approved a $7.1 million a grant for the nutritional needs of CNMI students.
Public School System federal programs officer Tim Thornburgh said the FY 2008 grant will fund the breakfast and lunch programs for public and private school students.
Ninety percent of the figure, or $6.4 million, will benefit some 14,500 children in 53 CNMI schools.
Thornburgh said PSS estimates that the grant will pay for more than 500,000 breakfasts and 2 million lunches.
The menus, he added, will reflect national dietary guidelines.
A portion of the grant — $142,290 — will fund the training of food service staff, Thornburgh said.
He said the training will focus on sound nutritional practices and the importance of a balanced diet.
The grant also covers the salary of a nutritionist, support activities promoting a proper diet, healthy physical exercises at schools as well as equipment and facility improvement.
The PSS Wellness Program will get $213,435. It promotes a change in lifestyle with an emphasis on healthy eating, daily physical exercise and collaboration by and between students, parents, teachers and health professionals.
Its goal is to reduce the incidence of lifestyle diseases such as diabetes II, hypertension, and childhood obesity.
Thornburgh said administrative costs will take up $142,290 or 2 percent of the total grant award.
These funds will be used for the salaries and benefits of the program administrators and will include telephone, transportation, travel, supplies and other program-related expenses.
Last week, PSS received over $6.6 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Education.