Stewart Elementary students picks better snacks

Healthy fruit and vegetable snacks have invaded the Stewart Elementary School's first-grade classrooms again this year through the Pick a Better Snack program delivered by Washington County Extension. This program is running in conjunction with Live Healthy Iowa and promoting a Food of the Week in the Washington community. This week each grocery story is running specials on the Food of the Week ? apples.

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 first- and second-grade classrooms to talk about healthy snacks, 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. For week one, the 101 Stewart first-graders had a taste test with Granny Smith and Pink Lady Apples. Pink Ladies were voted most popular by the first-grade students.

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.