School improving nutrition one smoothie at a time

SORRENTO, Fla. — Forty-four bags of spinach, 88 bags of blueberries, 200 bananas, 30 pineapples and 168 oranges.

Blended together it added up to 906 smoothies, which were first served earlier this month to more than 800 Sorrento Elementary students plus teachers and other staff members.

"It's the first round," said Anna Schroth, a parent who wanted to bring more awareness to nutrition. The plan was to continue serving them for nine weeks. The next serving is today.

The smoothies got rave reviews from students that first day, when 6 ounces of the dark purple concoction were poured into cubs that were lined up on two cafeteria tables. Fourth-graders were the first to taste the fruity mixture.

One student asked, "Is this veggies?"

"It tastes like fruit," came a response.

Another student chimed in, "It looks like chocolate."

Schroth said it took three hours and 20 minutes to make the smoothies with the help of 12 volunteers.

"I just want to see small kids healthier. Better nutrition — we all deserve that."

Schroth said she started working on the recipe nine months ago. She said she tried it on her Cub Scout pack, soccer team and kids coming over for a swim.

"At one point cherries were a thought," she said, "but they were more expensive — blueberries are more nutritious."

Principal Brenna Burkhead said she is "excited" with the community project.

"We believe in meeting the child academically and socially," Burkhead said. "We feel this community project is a great way of doing that. It's promoting health and giving students a nutritional boost to support them in the academic classroom."