Fruit glorious fruit. Students from Fountain Gate Primary School held their own fruit market last Wednesday to promote healthy eating. Back: Nicholas Sammut, Haley Presland and Don Brehaut. Front: AliceRose Brehaut and Josalyn Karedas.By Rebecca Fraser
COME one, come all that was the message last Wednesday when Fountain Gate Primary School was transformed into a fruit and vegetable market.
A karaoke machine was used by many students to sell their healthy offerings and parents and family were invited to enjoy the shopping experience.
Fountain Gate Primary School integration aide Margot Tregear said the market night followed the success of the school’s Marketfresh visit last month.
Following the July visit many parents said they had seen a big difference in their children’s eating habits.
One parent, Joe Varga, said the promotion of healthy fruit and brain food at the school was a worthwhile program.
“As a parent I have noticed the changes in the eating habits of my children after they attended the program,” he said.
“Instead of having biscuits or sugarloaded snacks, they now ask for fruit.
“The alfalfa is now a favourite in their sandwiches and instead of only an apple in their lunchbox for school, it is now an apple, banana and an orange and mandarin,” he said.
Another parent, Susan Smith, said both of her children had really loved the Marketfresh visit.
“Katherine came home wanting to make the banana smoothie and even tried a raw mushroom.
“Robert has now taken up eating peas. Thank you.
“Both children also loved watching their mung beans grow,” she said.
Ms Tregear and Linda Flanigan of the junior school council organised the event with a $1500 State Government grant helping to fund their healthy initiatives.
“With this money we purchased a high quality juicer for $560 last term and another $500 paid for all the fruit we bought from the Melbourne Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Market.
“On Wednesday we sold fresh apple juice straight from the juicer for 50c a cup.
“This project has not been about making profit though, but to promote healthy fruit and brain food. “
Many parents have seen a change in their children’s eating habits and have enjoyed sharing the experience of shopping with their children.
“We also sold environmentally friendly calico bags on the night and students also learnt about weights and measures.
“They were highly excited and they all had a real sense of ownership and pride in their stalls,” she said.
