DEADLINE APPROACHES FOR $70 MILLION PHYSICAL EDUCATION GRANTS

ACFN Urges Communities Nationwide to Apply

Washington, D.C., March 4, 2004 - The American Council for Fitness and Nutrition (ACFN) today reminded schools and communities that March 22 is the deadline to apply for the 2004 Carol M. White Physical Education for Progress (PEP) grants.

"PEP grants provide an opportunity for schools and communities to develop effective physical and nutrition education programs, which would otherwise be impossible to implement," said Susan Finn, Ph.D., RD, chair of ACFN. "Using this federal funding, schools can support comprehensive programs that address the obesity problem in our country and encourage a balance between physical activity and nutrition that is essential for overall wellness."

ACFN urges schools and communities to take a stand against childhood obesity and inactivity by applying for these grants administered by the U.S. Department of Education. In 2004, nearly $70 million in funds will be awarded to develop, expand or improve physical activity and nutrition education programs in schools or community-based organizations through equipment purchases and staff development.

"These grants enable schools and communities to get all of our children moving again and to counter the sedentary lifestyle plaguing our youth," added Anne Flannery, President/CEO of P.E.4LIFE and an ACFN Advisory Board member. P.E.4Life is a national, non-profit advocacy organization that promotes quality, daily physical education programs for America's youth.

Since 2001, over 400 schools and community programs have received PEP grants. In 2003, awards ranged from $28,230 to $500,000 with 256 winners in forty-four states nationwide, an impressive increase from the 171 awards in thirty-eight states in 2002.

The Department of Education grant application and guidelines are online at http://www.ed.gov/programs/whitephysed/applicant.html. For additional grant writing resources, visit www.acfn.org.

CONTACT
Laura Sheehan
202.715.1526
laura@acfn.org

Christine Tucci
202.715.1517
christine@acfn.org

ABOUT THE AMERICAN COUNCIL FOR FITNESS AND NUTRITION: The American Council for Fitness and Nutrition (ACFN) is a non-profit organization that brings together food and beverage companies, associations, and health and nutrition advocates to work toward viable long-term solutions to the nation's obesity epidemic. ACFN represents a diverse group of organizations and is guided by an advisory board of experts in the fields of nutrition, physical activity and behavior change. ACFN works with partners to raise awareness of programs and policies that seek to improve health and wellness in America. For more information, please visit www.acfn.org.