dhoyle@aacps.org

Each month, the Tasting of the Rainbow initiative gives students the opportunity to sample a different fruit or vegetable as part of the school meals program.  Since research has repeatedly shown the importance of frequent exposures to new foods for improved acceptance, this is a tremendous opportunity to expand students’ healthy food favorites.  Recently featured foods include asparagus, butternut squash, jicama, and eggplant. School Gardens “Grow it, know it, try it … love it!” is the phrase coined by the National Gardening Association to describe the nationwide effort to get students interested in gardening.  School gardens provide wonderful opportunities for learning experiences which allow students to be involved with growing, harvesting, preparing, and ultimately eating healthy fruits and vegetables. School gardens continue to grow in Anne Arundel County. A partnership with the Department of Health and the Department of Recreation and Parks afford many students in the county a first-hand experience on how food grows. Unlimited Fruits and Vegetables Included with every school lunch served in Anne Arundel County Public Schools is our one of kind, unlimited, fresh fruit and vegetable offering.  A minimum of two fresh fruits and three fresh vegetables are featured daily.  Dramatic increases in the consumption of these important foods have been noted since this option began a few years ago. Summer Meals The Summer Food Service Program was created from the realization that the need for learning and good nutrition don’t stop when the regular school year ends.  “Food that’s in when school is out” is the motto of this essential USDA program.  Its goal is to provide critically needed nutrition during summer break by serving free meals to children ages 2 to 18.  Summer 2012 meals were served at