The Florida Department of Agriculture together with First Lady Ann Scott are promoting healthy food choices. The first lady stopped by a Tallahassee elementary school Tuesday to showcase Florida-grown produce for the Ag Department’s “X-treme cuisine” program. Lynn Hatter reports the program shows kids how to make healthy snacks.
First Lady Ann Scott is lending a hand as a group of third graders in Springwood Elementary School’s brightly colored library are busy learning how to make veggie wraps…
"And, my parents would get upset with me cause they would fix us steak and I wouldn’t eat it…I probably could have been a vegetarian at the time, but you have to get the protein in too….”
The protein in this case is coming from the chick-pea based hummus, and a dollop or two of cream cheese, and of course- vegetables, help complete the wraps, which are made in animal shapes. Earlier in the year the Florida Department of Agriculture took over the school lunch program with the goal of getting more fresh fruits and vegetables in front of kids. Springwood Elementary School Principal Claire says she’s pleased with the choices her students have been making—especially when it comes to lunch.
“When you go into the lunch room, there’s always a salad available and we have a huge group of students who will opt for the salad. So I think it’s making a difference.”
And that’s the kind of enthusiasm that Florida’s official state chef, Justin Timineri, says he likes to see.
“It’s going well. We’re working very hard to do those things. It’s very exciting, and I’m excited to be working on it.”
The state’s efforts are also part of a national trend targeting healthy eating, and obesity.
