In-School Markets Enter The Fight Aagainst Obesity

In urban neighborhoods, “corner stores” are frequented not because they are affordable but because they are convenient. More often than not, these establishments stock their shelves with high calorie, high-priced, items that have little if any nutritional value.

Through in-school markets Faithfully Fresh has provided students with a convenient way to make healthier food choices. They may choose from bananas, apples, oranges, grapes, strawberries and other seasonal fruit. Healthy snacks include yogurt, raisins, trail mix and crackers.

Faithfully Fresh began in 2008 and opened its first in-school market at Allen M. Stearne Elementary School in Philadelphia. Members of the community including students, parents, teachers and neighbors enjoy the benefits of healthy, yet affordable foods on a weekly basis.

Individual pieces of fruit are sold to kinder garten through sixth grade students at prices ranging from a dime to fifty cents. With all of the concern about childhood obesity, this project has provided a fun opportunity for young students to make healthier decisions about the foods that they eat and to impact their long-term health and nutrition.

Through Faithfully Fresh a whole new generation has been introduced to the value of good nutrition. Children are beginning to understand the importance of including fruit and vegetables in their everyday diet and the weekly in-school markets give them more access to nutritious snacks.eir classroom door everyday, as a safety precaution for your child.