First Posted: 9/26/2007

The Abington Heights Wellness Committee was awarded a grant by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture in conjunction with the National Dairy Council, in the amount of $5,000, which needed to be targeted to purchase a refrigerated vending machine. The theory behind the grant was to provide students with an opportunity to increase their calcium consumption by offering ice cold milk, yogurt, string cheeses and Pennsylvania apples to those students who purchase beverages, before and after school, or bring a lunch to school and want to purchase a cold drink. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and Dairy Council are becoming more aggressive in their endeavors to compete with soft drink companies that provide free vending to schools and parks. Shown with the new vending machine are, from left, School Nurses Debbie Shane and Tina Santaniello, Food Service Director Joanne Pesota, Guidance Counselor Ilene White and School Nurse Christina Bohn.