Athena Elementary School
Celebrating National School Lunch Week, National Crunch Day, and Farm to School Month!
Kiwi, jicama and apples were all on the menu for Athena Elementary School students the week of October 14th. They were celebrating National School Lunch Week, National Crunch Day, and Farm to School Month by trying new fruits and vegetables.
During P.E. classes on Tuesday, the students tasted kiwi, trying a golden variety and a green variety. Their teacher, Rob Duke, asked them questions like which variety was sweeter? which was softer? and which one did you like better? Then he talked with the students about eating different fruits and vegetables to give yourself energy and build muscle.
One of the surprising things about the kiwi was that students ate it with the skins on. Duke said he eats a kiwi almost every day, always with the skin on to get more nutrition. He also shared with the students that eating a couple of kiwis before bedtime can help you fall asleep.
Charlotte, a third grader, said she had eaten a kiwi before, but she didn’t know there were different colors of them. “I liked the golden one because it reminds me of a banana, which I like to eat.”
Another third grader, Carter, said he had tried kiwi in a drink. He liked the golden variety better because it was sweeter, had more flavor and the skin was not so furry. Carter said if someone who had never tried one before asked him about it, he would say, “Sure, try it, they’re really good!”
Karen Webb, the district’s Food Service Manager and Secretary at Athena Elementary, said the tastings are part of National School Lunch Week and Farm to School Month. On Wednesday, kids can try jicama in the cafeteria and vote if they like it or not. Thursday is National Crunch Day so the school is providing three varieties of apples to sample and students will vote on their favorite.
Webb said she wants students to experience different fruits and vegetables they might not get at home and have the opportunity to learn about the nutritional advantages. “Most kids are more than willing to try new fruits and vegetables and we have fun doing it,” she said.
Article - Michele Madril, IMESD
Tasting Results for Wednesday, October 16, 2024 - JICAMA
60 Students - LIKE!
27 Students - SORT OF.....
34 Students - DON'T LIKE YET!
Tasting Results for Thursday, October 17, 2024 - 3 VARIETIES OF APPLES (Cosmic Crisp, Ambrosia, and Golden Delicious)
Cosmic Crisp Apples - 46 students voted it was their favorite!
Golden Delicious - 40 students voted it was their favorite!
Ambrosia - 23 students voted it was their favorite!
