Aetna supports school nutrition and physical activity at 40 schools

Aetna, a CVS Health company, has provided a $240,000 donation to the national nonprofit GENYOUth to enhance school nutrition and physical activity programs. The funding will equip 40 schools across West Virginia, Florida, Missouri, Ohio, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania with new meal service equipment and physical activity kits.

The initiative aims to combat student hunger and encourage physical movement, supporting over 5.9 million school meals and benefiting approximately 22,000 students. The grants will enable schools to acquire equipment such as mobile meal carts and smoothie stations, making nutritious food more accessible and flexible for students.

GENYOUth will also distribute its Root4All kits, which include curriculum and resources designed to empower students, particularly girls, to engage in physical activity and develop lifelong healthy habits. This program addresses the need for increased activity, as fewer than a quarter of students meet daily recommended exercise guidelines.

The donation arrives as many schools face resource limitations in meeting student needs. Nationally, one in five children experience food insecurity, and equipment costs present a significant challenge for school nutrition programs. The investment seeks to improve both health outcomes and academic readiness by ensuring students are well-nourished and active.