A new program in Warren will provide children with increased access to healthy food outside of school. 

Increasing children's access and consumption of fresh produce is the goal of a $5,000 grant secured by the Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership. The awarded funding comes from The United Fresh Foundation.

The grant will establish a program of free food vouchers that can be exchanged for a healthy snack at local stores. 

"This grant will allow students to come in and buy a fresh item or a healthy item with a voucher," said Christian Bennett, Food Access Coordinator for TNP.

The Shadi Superette, along the SmartFood Market, Litl' Macs, and the Lucky 7 Market, are the four independent neighborhood stores taking part in the program. They will collect the vouchers and be reimbursed by the grant.  

Warren schools have in-school healthy food programs and welcome the voucher program outside the regular school day.

"So the voucher program re-enforces that outside the school day, and it engages community partners with local stores that are oftentimes in the walk zone for our students," Warren Superintendent Steve Chiaro said. 

For those students taking advantage of the voucher program, there could be a bonus later on.

"Just to encourage participation, each voucher is going to become a raffle ticket, and we'll throw them all in a hopper, and we're going to award some prizes at  events over the summer," said TNP Director, Matt Martin 

Store owners will be stocking up on fresh produce and be ready for young voucher bearing students to choose healthy.