Md. district tests fruit, veggie bars at 3 schools

Howard County Public Schools in Ellicott City, Md., is encouraging its elementary students to eat healthier foods by promoting fruit and vegetable bars in the cafeteria, The Baltimore Sun has learned.

The bar—which debuted April 6 at Talbott Springs Elementary School—is stocked with strawberries, carrots, grapes and broccoli. It’s the first phase of a food and nutrition program that will be piloted over the next two years at Talbott Springs, as well as Bollman Bridge Elementary and Laurel Woods Elementary, which will open their fruit and vegetable bars this month, according to the website.

Officials say the second phase of the program will debut during the 2016-2017 school year with a full menu revamp at the three pilot schools.

“The whole name of the game is to encourage kids to eat healthy starting at the younger age, recognizing that if you inculcate good habits when you’re young, then you’re more likely to stay with those good habits,” Brian Ralph, the district’s director of food and nutrition, told The Sun.

Read the full story at The Baltimore Sun.