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Farmer's markets hit school campuses

Thriving School grant bring farmer's markets onto school campuses in San Joaquin County

“Broccoli helps you grow big and strong!” Just one of the many benefits of fruits and vegetables that Loren Werth of Food 4 Thought shared with TEAM Charter first-graders at Farmer’s Market on Campus coordinated by San Joaquin County Office of Education’s (SJCOE) Program Coordinator Katy Downs-Stroh in April. After a short presentation on a variety of fresh produce, its benefits, and how they grow, Werth invites each student to select either 1) five fruits or 2) one vegetable and three fruits to take home. Students eagerly lined up with bags in hand ready to shop while they ‘ooh’ and ‘ahh’ over fresh tangerines, grapefruit, and red cabbages.
 
Childhood obesity rates continue to increase at an alarming rate in San Joaquin County. Contributing to this epidemic is the inactivity of students, lack of nutrition education in schools, and lack of funding for physical education programs in schools due to severe budget cuts. In response to this crisis, SJCOE developed a fitness program, Exercise Across California (EAC), to motivate children to be active and healthy. In its fourth year, the program currently serves 12 low-income schools in San Joaquin County and is projected to impact over 950 students.
 
Each year SJCOE finds a way to enhance the program. Not only is the program working with Food 4 Thought to deliver fresh produce to participating classrooms on a monthly basis, this year we are also bringing Farmer’s Markets on Campus to some participating schools. This component makes the nutrition curriculum taught in the classroom come to life. Students get to see, touch, taste, and learn about fresh fruits and vegetables and its benefits in living a healthy lifestyle. In addition, the program is bringing health and wellness workshops to parents and school staff at participating schools.

This project is supported by Kaiser Permanente Northern California Community Benefit Programs.

For more information about Exercise Accross California, call 468.5983.

Posted: 4/10/2014