'EAT YOUR COLORS' PROJECT TO PROMOTE HEALTHY EATING IN FLORIDA SCHOOLS


September 10, 2003


A colorful effort to promote healthy eating in Florida's school cafeterias kicks off its second phase Friday, Sept. 12 with events at two Miami-Dade public schools.

"Eat Your Colors Everyday," year two of a statewide pilot program sponsored by the Produce for Better Health Council and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, will be introduced at Dante B. Fascell Elementary School, 15625 S.W. 80 St., at 9:30 a.m. and Scott Lake Elementary School, 1160 N.W. 175 St., at 11:30 a.m.

The effort, described as "a salad bar and salad options project," is an attempt to educate and entice Florida students to eat more fruits and vegetables. The key: a color-balanced diet in which students eat servings of green (e.g. lettuce, honeydew), white (e.g. cauliflower, mushrooms), red (e.g. strawberries, tomatoes), blue/purple (e.g. blueberries, plums) and yellow/orange (e.g. peaches, pineapples) produce each day.

Phase 1 of the program, known as "5 a Day, the Color Way," concentrated on research and planning. Phase 2 will focus on a year's worth of field-testing in 25 schools, including Fascell and Scott Lake, in nine Florida counties. A number of schools in other states will participate this year as well.

For more information, contact Carol Chong of Miami-Dade County Public Schools' food and nutrition department at 786-275-0446 or Shelly Terry of the Produce for Better Health Foundation at 302-235-2329.

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03-MV/032/JJR

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