The other day I was talking to some friends about how kids hear everything and copy what you say. . we were talking about the importance of watching your language and setting a good example for your children. I don’t know about your kids, but my kids copy everything I say and the way I say it. They are like sponges, absorbing everything around them. . which makes sense since they are kids. Kids looking up to their parents to learn from them. .
As parents, we have a tough job. Not only do we need to raise our children with good values and lessons but we also need to teach them by example. I feel like this seeps into every facet of their lives. How they act and react. How they are in front of other adults or when you’re not around.
Down to the decisions they make, the foods they eat and ultimately, the decisions they will make as young adults.
Today, I’ve teamed up with Produce for Kids to tell you about a campaign they are currently running, called Get Healthy, Give Hope.
Across the country, grocery shoppers can help contribute to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals® and other local children’s charities this summer – just by shopping for healthy and nutritious fruits and vegetables at more than 17 participating grocery store chains. On May 2, Produce for Kids® kicked off its 12th annual Get Healthy, Give Hope campaign, which is expected to pass $5 million in overall contributions in 2014.
Produce for Kids is committed to educating families on the benefits of healthy eating and inspiring parents and children to create nutritious and delicious meals together. For more than a decade, Produce for Kids has partnered with regional supermarkets to provide much-needed funding for local children’s organizations. This is an important year for the program, as they expect to surpass the $5 million mark in total funds raised.
The Get Healthy, Give Hope campaign will run from May through July 2014 with the support of more than 35 participating fresh fruit and vegetable suppliers, representing every major category of fresh produce. Suppliers will make a consumption-based donation to local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and other community children’s organizations. So, the more items from participating companies and grocery retailers that shoppers purchase, the more local children’s organizations benefit.
The Grocery retail partners participating in the Get Healthy, Give Hope campaign include: Ahold’s GIANT and Martin’s Food Stores, Giant Landover, and Stop & Shop divisions; Associated Wholesale Grocers’ Major Savings, Advantage, Independent, Country Mart, Homeland and United divisions; Meijer Stores; Price Chopper; Publix Super Markets; and Roundy’s Supermarkets, Inc.’s Pick n’ Save, Rainbow Foods, Copps Food Center, Metro Market divisions.
For each meal that my kids eat, I always incorporate a vegetable of some sort, either raw or roasted, and nowadays because berries and peaches are in season, I can get away with serving simple fruit cups for snacks and dessert. I try to feed my children as many fruits and vegetables as they will eat and I try to introduce something new every once in a while. So, whether you are sautéing it, roasting it or serving it raw with a dip, let’s get some more fresh vegetables and fruit in front of our kiddos.
And here’s hoping that the healthy eating habits we try to establish with our children now stick with them!
Simple Fruit Salad
Ingredients
- 1 peach skin on, sliced lengthwise and chopped
- 1/2 cup raspberries
- 1/2 cup blueberries
- 1/2 cup strawberries chopped
- 1 to 2 oranges peeled and chopped
- 1 to 2 bananas peeled and chopped
- 1 teaspoon honey
- mint leaves
Instructions
- Using a large mixing bowl, combine all of the chopped fruit and drizzle on the honey. Mix well and let sit for about 3-4 minutes. Serve in cups or small bowls and top with fresh mint.
THE GIVEAWAY!!
To help promote this campaign in the WISCONSIN AREA ONLY (sorry guys! we’re keeping it local today) and to get as many of you out there purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables, we’re giving away a $100 GROCERY gift card to use at any one of the following grocery store retailers only: Copps, Pick ‘N Save or Metro Market. So, to clarify, if you do not have one of these grocery stores in your local area, please do not enter this giveaway as the $100 gift card will only be good at one of these stores.
Disclosure: I received a $100 grocery gift card in order to purchase all of the fresh fruit you see above. Thank you for allowing me to help support and promote the brands, companies and campaigns that I believe in.
Fruits and vegetables are important for kids not just for nutritional purposes (to grow up without nutritional deficiencies), but to help them develop a love of fresh ingredients and a future love of cooking/baking with healthy ingredients.
I think it’s important for kids to eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables so they get the vitamins and minerals they need in their diet.
I don’t have any kids yet… but I can’t wait to expose them to all sorts of fresh and whole foods as soon as possible. I want them to have an appreciation for actual food… not just products cleverly disguised as food on grocery shelves. This fruit salad is the epitome of summer! Fresh, simple, and beautiful!
Fresh fruits and veggies are very important for kids. The are not only healthy and nutritious but easy to prepare as well especially if you are always on the go.
I love the photo of that cute kid enjoying her fruit! That makes my heart sing.
I think fresh fruit, veggies, whole grains are important, as well as, treats and fun foods. All part of a healthy diet where there is no good or bad!
I’m convinced that fresh fruit and veggies are extremely important in every day meals.
Children must get fruits and vegetables at a young age to prevent health problems later in life. Fruits and vegetables in the diet are crucial.
This fruit salad looks so refreshing and healthy (and that photo of your daughter digging in is too adorable for words)!
Fruits and vegetables are important for kids not just for nutritional value, but to help them deter away from eating processed foods.
It’s so important. There are way too many processed foods but the healthiest are the whole foods with color – fruits and veggies. They provide a strong foundation for our children.
I think it is very important for children and everyone to have fruits in a daily diet. They are so many reasons, but healthy choices is the main thing to teach them. It will help tem maintain a better health and eating habits.
Fruit and veggies can nutritious and delicious. They are my go to snack….so thankful my kids love them.
We had to work hard to get our kids to eat fruits and veggies, but I’m so glad we stuck with it! There were definitely times when we felt tempted to cave. They are both teenagers now and are more than happy to eat healthfully! I love campaigns like this one! So, so very important!!
That is so great to hear, Maria! Yes, I totally agree! Thanks for stopping by!
I love the colors in this fruit salad! So healthy!!
As a mom of 2 toddlers I believe it is so important to provide my kids with a fruit and veggie filled diet. It’s sad to be at the grocery store and see people with carts full of unhealthy choices that they give to their children.
importance of fresh fruits and vegetables for kids? one of the most important things in their lives. The nutrients that they need for growing bodies and brains can be found in fresh fruits and veggies!!!
This is such a brilliant initiative! Eating healthy is so sooo important!!!!! I love how you have made this fruit salad look soooo colorful and pretty!
You manage to make fruit salad look so beautiful Alice. Love that shot of your little ‘rollergirl’ tucking in! The Get Healthy, Give Hope campaign sounds wonderful. Such a great initiative for both fundraising and family health! x
Fruits and vegetables are the base for a healthy diet.
I try to offer fruits and vegetables at all meals to my kids….they are “real” food and I want them to learn to enjoy them as much as I do!
You can’t go wrong with a classic fruit salad! Perfect for the summer!
I seriously don’t think I have ever seen fruit look so darn good. This looks refreshing and absolutely perfect. It is the thing I should be eating this summer.
haha, thank you!! 🙂
Eating fresh fruits and veggies as a kid is important because what they eat as a kid will probably carry over to what they eat the rest of their lives!
I think its very important to not only make sure your kids are eating their vegetables and fruits…but also to make sure they know the health facts. Trying new recipes to make it more enjoyable for them. My kids love them so I have never had problem getting them to eat them. But I do my friends kids have a harder time. Its important for kids to get the daily value of healthy and fresh produce.
You’re the best, Alice. I admire you so much for always trying to make your family’s diet as healthy, nutritious and delicious as possible. This fruit salad looks incredible. My mouth actually started salivating at how vibrant, varied and beautiful it looks in your photos. I don’t eat as many fruits ‘n veggies as I should. I’m sure your girls will always have this amazing foundation that you’ve laid down for them of healthful eating.
Wow this is one incredible looking fruit salad! I don’t have kids yet but my husband is kind of that as I try to make him eat as many fruits or veggies I can sometimes openly and sometimes sneaking them under cheesy stuff!! Your daughter is a doll!!
Of course it’s very important to start eating healthy whole foods right from the start.
What gorgeous fruit cups! I’m hoping to find ripe peaches at my produce stand this weekend! I would be diving in just like your sweet girls 🙂
It is good tasting and good for you and this combination encourages healthy eating.
fresh fruits and vegetables are great for kids. they provide the nutrients and nourishment that kids need. they help build immune systems and help children grow up eating healthy and instilling great eating habits as they grow older.
Kids should eat fresh fruit and vegetables because they will be healthier and learn good eating habits that will carry over into adulthood
It is for sure important because it could make or break their day. Children need fresh fruits and veggies and not packaged items that have chemicals and bad ingredients that will just drain their energy. It will keep them healthy in the long run.
Fresh fruits and veggies are essential for good health and nutrition. Kids love the flavors and develop healthy eating habits.
I think fresh fruit and vegetables are incredibly important to my children’s diet, I really feel that good habits start young and they will benefit my children for their lifetimes.
Fruits and veggies are essential for growing kids. they need good nutrients from birth on and to get started on the path of eating right , is starting right away