Classrooms around the country are invited to “produce” a produce play, alliterate with awesome apples or even “rock around the vegetable wok,” as part of the Produce for Kids® Play with Your Produce Classroom Challenge.
The challenge, open to grades K to 6, asks teachers to help students discover healthy eating habits through a creative, fun classroom activity that focuses on fresh produce.
Here’s how the challenge works: From Sept. 7 to Nov. 13, teachers can create and submit details about a classroom activity focused on healthy eating that involves fresh fruits and vegetables.
Entries are limited to one per classroom, although multiple classrooms from the same school may enter the contest. Each entry should include at least one photo, description and any supporting materials (such as a video) needed to showcase the project.
Entries will be judged on the following criteria; the classroom activity must:
- Focus on getting kids to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables
- Feature at least three PFK sponsors’ products (full list available online)
- Involve the entire classroom
- Be original, innovative and creative
Three (3) grand prize winners will receive $500 to promote school-based health and wellness, a classroom party toolkit (with party ideas, recipes, favors and $100 gift certificate to purchase produce and other nutritious food from their local grocery store), and their winning entry highlighted in press materials and on the Produce for Kids’ Web site.
Produce for Kids implemented this contest for the first time in 2008 and received more than 100 entrants from teachers across the country. The submissions included produce bingo, original videos, posters, field trips to the produce department and reports of taste tests in classrooms with produce items and dip (more ideas also available to teachers online).
“Our mission is to promote healthy lifestyles by educating kids and parents about the benefits of eating fresh fruits and vegetables,” said Heidi McIntyre, executive director, Produce for Kids. “We are excited to see teachers create engaging, interactive activities that inspire students to learn healthy eating habits that last a lifetime.”
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About Produce for Kids
Produce for Kids® promotes healthy lifestyles for children by educating kids and parents about the benefits of eating fresh fruits and vegetables while also supporting worthy children’s causes. Since its creation in 2002 by Shuman Produce Inc., Produce for Kids has raised more than $2 million for local Children’s Miracle Network hospitals. Produce for Kids also partners with PBS KIDS® to educate parents about healthy eating. For additional information, visit www.produceforkids.org.
