All told, 450 Northern Michigan kids flocked to Traverse City’s Northwestern Michigan Fair’s Food for Kids booth, where Oryana Natural Foods Market, Crystal Mountain Resort, TCAPS, Cherry Capital Foods and Goodwill Industries joined forces to educate kids on healthy eating habits by letting them try their hands at preparing simple, tasty and healthy meals at the fair—for free.
On the menu? TCAPS [Traverse City Area Public Schools] and Crystal Mountain provided whole grain pasta and multi-grained wraps that children heaped with their choice of fresh veggies, lean meats, shredded cheese and even beans—then top off with a variety of sauces. For inspiration, Crystal Mountain chef Bryant Betts set up a mouthwatering “model” wrap brimming with good-for-you goodies.
The beverage du jour was fruity lemonade—kids added their own cherries, blueberries and strawberries provided by Cherry Capital Foods. Dessert was Goodwill Goodpops—delicious fruit-filled popsicles made with fruit provided by Oryana and made by the folks at Goodwill Industries. “Parent and grandparents were grateful for a healthier option besides just typical fair food,” says Flo Christopher, Oryana’s marketing and events coordinator. “We heard a lot of, ‘If you eat something that is good for you now, you can have a treat later.'”
In its 7th year, the Foods for Kids booth was launched by the Michigan Land Use Institute’s Farm-to-School program. Oryana has spearheaded this fun, hands-on way to teach kids to love their fruits and veggies for the past two years.
MyNorth videographer John Newland captured the feast at the fair. We guarantee it will make you crave this healthy Avocado and White Bean Wrap recipe from Oryana!