District Receives $75K Grant to Expand Sports Nutrition Program

On Wednesday, Superintendent Sabatino Cimato joined Assemblyman William Conrad as well as Athletic Director Lindsay Bergman to announce the expansion of the district's extremely successful sports nutrition pilot program which has provided food and education for student-athletes. This was made possible by $75,000 in new state funding that Assemblyman Conrad secured for the district.

The program began in 2022 with an initial $50,000 grant. Improper or insufficient nutrition can impede success in sports as well as in the classroom. Many coaches use their own money to purchase food for student-athletes, helping them perform at their best. With this funding, the Athletics Department was able to provide all teams with nutritious snacks they could eat after school. The funding also facilitated visits by a professional nutritionist to educate the students about proper nutrition and a special student-athlete lunch. Thanks to the additional $75,000 in funding which Assemblyman Conrad has secured, the Athletics Department will be able to continue to provide snacks and nutrition education as well as coordinating a special athlete breakfast.

Assemblyman Bill Conrad said, “As a former teacher and coach, I know how much diet can either boost or hinder a young person’s ability to meet the demands of school and sports. It’s always a worthy endeavor, to supplement kids’ nutrition, especially if it’s lacking in some way, and to teach them how to fuel their minds and bodies properly, so they have the tools to stay well throughout their lives. Given the success and popularity of this program when it kicked off a few years ago at Ken West, I was eager to get the district the funding to continue it on a larger scale.”

Ken-Ton Schools Superintendent Sabatino Cimato said, “We are grateful for Assemblyman Conrad’s advocacy on behalf of our students and athletic programs. Proper nutrition is the cornerstone of student success on the field and in school. We are extremely excited about continuing this sports nutrition program, which can help increase athletic performance as well as academic outcomes.”

Ken-Ton Schools Director of Health, Physical Education & Athletics Lindsay Bergman said, “When we started this program, we saw firsthand how much a good meal can change a student’s day, both on the field and in the classroom. This funding means we can reach more athletes with the food and the education they need.”