Sandra Bush of UT Extension teaches children about different vegetables during the Veggie Fair. (Photo by Dana Johnson)
Veggie Fair encourages healthy eating
Metropolitan Nashville Public School elementary students and their families recently participated in the Fall-Hamilton Advanced Option School’s Veggie Fair. The community event brought together members of Vanderbilt University School of Nursing (VUSN), Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, University of Tennessee extension and America Corps to teach the children about healthy lifestyles.
From left, Victoria Moore, Donovan Manning, Ariana Ricketts, Nia Ricketts and Mya Ricketts compete in a sack race during the Veggie Fair. The event was held for children of the community to promote healthy eating. (Photo by Dana Johnson)
Alyce Dobyns Ladd of the Davidson County Master Gardeners plants a container garden with Janasia Watkins during the Veggie Fair. (Photo by Dana Johnson)
Vanderbilt University School of Nursing student Meredith Morgan dresses as a carrot and hands out bags of produce during Veggie Fair at Fall-Hamilton Elementary School. (Photo by Dana Johnson)
The different booths included hands-on learning for potting and growing tomato plants, composting, fun ways to exercise and healthy food tastings. All participants left with their own tomato and basil plants as well as a shopping bag full of fruits and vegetables. VUSN students, some dressed as vegetables, interacted with the families and engaged them in various activities. The final booth challenged participants to recommend ways to improve their community. Most comments centered on attracting more grocery stores to improve access to fresh foods.
“The key to an event like this is the community,” said Patti Scott, VUSN instructor. “The planning group listened to community members and brought together volunteers and activities that reflect those needs.”
The event was made possible, in part, by a grant from Hidden Valley Ranch.