By Sascha Cordner
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-991044.mp3
Tallahassee,FL – This week is "Florida-Grown School Lunch Week." As Sascha Cordner reports, different growers and organizations crowded the Florida Capitol's courtyard Monday to show how the state is providing children in Florida schools with balanced, healthy meals.
Pero Family Farms Brand Manager Scott Seddon is talking to one of the people who stopped at his booth as part of the state's first ever "Florida Grown School Lunch Week."
Katie Rainka with the Florida Department of Education says her agency partnered with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to help commemorate "National Farm to School Month" with a series of presentations and demonstrations at the Florida Capitol.
"We're lucky that we're able to grow fruits and vegetables all year round. And, we really wanted to use this opportunity to highlight the growers and the resources in the state to provide locally grown fresh produce to schools and other organizations."
Certified Executive Chef Justin Timineri with the Florida Department of Agriculture had a booth, which showed off some of his "Fresh From Florida" recipes:
"I made some Florida citrus tea that's nice and hot and steamy that's been warming up people this morning. We also did some veggie wraps. We don't have a full kitchen here, so we're staying with the cold items and those are whole wheat wraps with shredded cabbage, carrots, cucumber, a little bit of humus, and a little bit of yogurt ranch."
Two sisters, who are on a road trip throughout the U.S., decided to make a stop at the Florida Capitol for the National Farm to School festivities. The elder, 84-year-old Marcia Ledbetter from Oklahoma, says she remembers a time when schools were not so focused on healthy eating:
"It seems to me like when remember grade school food, it was very carbohydrate friendly and I don't remember all of these wonderful fresh things I love seeing all these fresh things in the school, and the fact that some of the schools are even growing some of the vegetables, and what better education can you have for children. I just thought it was wonderful."
Her sister, 70-year-old Wendy Morris from California gave an example of one of the booths they enjoyed:
"And, so the kids are tending the gardens, and then part of the process up through there was one delightful little girl who was quick frying I think kale chips, and it was wonderful, and so she's part of the process. So, she'll understand you can grow your own, you need to eat them, and they taste good."
Also enjoying the event was 13-year-old Kazari Dixon, who is on a field trip with her classmates from the Andrew Jackson Middle School in Titusville, Florida, who are on a college campus tour. But, they made a quick detour to the Capitol to view some of the booths. The 8th grader says given the choice between junk food and healthy food, she would choose:
"Probably like fresh foods, because I like salads, and fruits, especially strawberries."
Governor Rick Scott signed a proclamation, designating this week as "Florida Grown School Lunch Week" as part of "National Farm to School month." Farm to School programs are used as a way to encourage healthy eating and boost local agricultural sales by bringing local produce into schools.