CHE, NPE students explore farmers markets at school

Liverpool Central School District Food Service Director Annette Marchbanks recently approached several Nate Perry Elementary students in the school’s library.

“Tell me what this smells like,” she prompted as she approached them with a piece of produce in her hand. “Doesn’t that smell like black licorice?”

The fragrant smell intrigued the students and drew them toward a table filled with produce grown in New York state.

As part of the Action for Healthy Kids (AFHK) initiative, the LCSD Food Service Department recently held farmers markets at Chestnut Hill Elementary and Nate Perry Elementary. Students had the opportunity to touch and smell the produce – such as red and green cabbage, pumpkins, onions, peppers, tomatoes, cantaloupe and the black licorice-smelling anise. Each item also had an informational card to explain its health benefits. On the way back to their classrooms, students were handed a NYS grown apple and tips regarding healthy habits.

Action for Healthy Kids is a nationwide grassroots network mobilizing school professionals, families and communities to take actions that improve school foods, nutrition education, physical activity and physical education for all students. Through the support of national grocer ALDI, CHE and NPE each received a $1,000 AFHK Game On Grant to benefit their playground funds.

Both schools will continue to expand their wellness programs throughout the school year by adding numerous nutrition and physical activities, including stretch breaks and brain breaks. Marchbanks also plans to have students taste test new vegetables later in the school year.