P.A.C.K. Week

My children's school is participating in a national healthy eating initiative called P.A.C.K. week- Pack Assorted Colors for Kids week, October 10-14. This is a fun and educational program to encourage kids to eat more fruits and vegetable! O' Yeah... did I mention it gets the parents involved too!

So here is how you can get involved...

     

Monday, October 10th is pack purple day:

Did you know that only 3% of our current fruit and veggie consumption is from the purple/blue category? Yet, these fruits and veggies provide natural plant nutrients not found in other colors. Here are some great Purple ideas to pack:

• Plums
• Rasins
• Blackberries
• Blueberries
• Purple Grapes

Tuesday, October 11th is pack white day:


White, tan and brown fruits and veggies make up this color category, which accounts for 23%
of our fruit and vegetable consumption. The most common white fruit is the banana…and they're easy to pack. Here are some other fruits and veggies your kids might enjoy on Pack White Day:

• Pears
• White peaches
• Dates
• Cauliflower florets

Wednesday, October 12th is pack Red day:
Red fruits and vegetables account for 24% of our fruit and vegetable intake.
The most common red produce item is one that may take you back to your own school days: red apples. You could send your children to school with a red apple on Pack Red Day,
or consider any of the following:

• Cherries
• Strawberries
• Red pepper slices
• Tomato wedges

 

Thursday, October 13th is pack
Yellow/Orange day:


Yellow/Orange fruits and vegetables account for 24% of our fruit and vegetable intake.
The most common yellow/orange fruit is the orange, and there are many varieties to choose from. Your kids may also enjoy one of these fruits or veggies on Pack Yellow/Orange Day:

• Baby carrots
• Nectarines
• Peaches
• Yellow pears

Friday, October 14th is pack Green day:

Green fruits and vegetables are the most commonly eaten, accounting for 26% of our fruit and vegetable consumption…but there's always room for more!
Green grapes and green apples are kid favorites, and they're easy to send to school on Pack Green Day. Here are some other delicious fruits and veggies to consider:

• Celery sticks
• Green pepper slices
• Snow peas

 There are many ways to be creative and pack more fruits and veggies in your child's lunch!

For more tips check out http://www.foodchamps.org/ , http://www.welchs.com/ or http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/



Here is a great tracking sheet to help you have a fun and colorful week... http://www.welchs.com/pack/Welchs_PACK_Tracking_Sheet.pdf

Please join my family as we celebrate
P.A.C.K. Week!
Share your thoughts and colorful lunches on my facebook page today!