Farmers' Market Assemblies Teach Kids About Fruits and Veggies

By Elk Grove Unified School District

Bright yellow ears of corn.  Bushels of apples.  Crisp, ripe cucumbers. 

These delicious fruits, vegetables and more will make their way to Samuel Kennedy Elementary School as a part of the Elk Grove Unified School District Food and Nutrition Services Department’s farmers’ market assemblies from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, March 22.

The farmers’ market assemblies will also visit four more elementary schools over the next three months: Barbara Comstock Morse, Sierra Enterprise, Isabelle Jackson and Irene B. West.

Funded by the Network for a Healthy California, the farmers’ market assemblies feature presentations on the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables, as well as tips on how to select ripe produce.  After the presentations, each student will receive “play” money to shop with to purchase fruits and vegetables to take home and share with their families.  Each grade level will have an opportunity to visit the farmers’ market at their school.

“Selecting your own fruits and vegetables makes eating them even more enjoyable,” said Anne Gaffney, nutrition specialist for Elk Grove Unified.  “This program encourages students to eat more fruits and vegetables and reinforces the healthy message modeled by having many fruits and vegetables to choose from in our school cafeterias.”

During the first half of the school year, Food and Nutrition Services also sponsored after-school farmers markets at elementary school sites.  For some students and families, fresh produce can be cost-prohibitive and/or access to fruits and vegetables can be limited.  The after-school farmers markets provided an opportunity for both students and their parents to have access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

Farmers’ market assemblies will be held at these schools from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the following dates:

Thursday, March 22, 2012, Samuel Kennedy Elementary School

Thursday, April 26, 2012, Barbara Comstock Morse Elementary School

Thursday, May 3, 2012, Sierra Enterprise Elementary School

Tuesday, May 8, 2012, Isabelle Jackson Elementary School

Thursday, May 31, 2012, Irene B. West Elementary School