As most of you know, Project A.P.P.L.E. stands for "A Place for Planting Learning and Eating," and for six years its focus has been to offer
healthy snacks and gardening at First Pres.
In addition to healthy food choices at school, we’ve started a dialogue
about good nutrition. Since then, our
healthy snack program has been inspiring children to try new foods, and to
participate in the preparation of healthy recipes. Not only are our children eating healthier,
but the program brings enthusiasm to snack time discussions about the food
we’re making and eating, and appetizing aromas often greet families as they
arrive at school. Second helpings of broccoli have been reported! Alphabet letters have been designed with
carrots before being gobbled up! Kohlrabi has been attempted!
By extension, Project A.P.P.L.E. wants to inform the birthday celebrations we have at school. While cupcakes have been standard fare for birthday celebrations, the mission of Project A.P.P.L.E. reminds us that there are also healthier ways to celebrate that avoid the frequent consumption of sugar and the “sugar rush” syndrome - a concern that many of our parents share. In addition, many children in our school have allergies to chocolate, dairy or eggs. Some healthier choices for school celebrations can avoid some of these issues.
We would like to offer a few suggestions (and a few links) to keep in mind when you plan your child’s next school birthday celebration: fruit skewers, fruit flowers, oatmeal cookies, banana or zucchini bread, yogurt parfaits and smoothies can be great choices.
Don’t forget, baking with your children promotes math and chemistry skills!
We greatly welcome your collaboration with Project A.P.P.L.E., and wish you all good eating, happy birthdays and a healthy New Year!
Fruit Skewers: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/338684834448055992/
Fruit Flowers: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/111604896988026560/
Yogurt Parfaits: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/171136854573170205/
Fruit Popsicles: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/418201515380080099/
In Manhattan’s Greenwich Village where space is tight and gardens rare, the First Presbyterian Church Nursery School recently transformed a “baking hot” rooftop playground into an edible garden. And yes, the kids are eating the green vegetables.
Read the whole story here.