Kalona Elementary students enjoy whole grains with Pick-a-Better Snacks

Healthy fruit and vegetable snacks have invaded Kalona Elementary first- and second-grade classrooms this fall through the Pick-a-Better Snack program offered by Washington County Extension.

This program is designed to motivate children to eat more fruits and vegetables in meals and snacks and to be more physically active. Each week Amy Green, 4-H/youth coordinator, visits the first- and second-grade classrooms to talk about healthy snacks and making healthy choices, and they always get to sample a particular fruit or vegetable of the day.

Each week the students are reminded to be brave and try new things ? including healthy fruits and vegetables. This past week students focused on the grain component of the USDA?s healthy MyPlate listing a variety of grains and seeing the difference between whole-wheat products and white. They enjoyed whole-grain crackers with grape tomatoes.

If you have any questions about the Pick-a-Better Snack program or would like to volunteer, please call the Washington County Extension Office at 319-653-4811.