Governor signs bill supporting consumption of California strawberries in schools
Governor signs bill supporting consumption of California strawberries in schools
On Sept. 15, at the first-of-its-kind Gov.'s Summit on Health, Nutrition & Obesity in Sacramento, CA, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed several bills that will help combat the states obesity crisis and improve the health of Californians, particularly school-age children.
One of the bills Gov. Schwarzenegger signed was Senate Bill 281, which provides a framework to implement $18.2 million in the governors budget to include more fresh fruits and vegetables in school meal programs. By taking junk food and sodas off school campuses and adding fruits and vegetables, schools will become a foundation of health and nutrition for children across California.
Every year, schools have the opportunity to easily order a variety of fruits and vegetables from the USDAs Entitlement Commodity List, which now includes strawberries. Strawberries are also included on the USDAs list of super foods for being ranked among the highest in an antioxidant study conducted by USDA researchers.
Strawberries are lower in sugar (only seven grams per serving) and calories (45 calories for eight medium strawberries), and higher in vitamin C than the top-five most popular fruits. They are also a good source of potassium, folate and fiber.
California Strawberry Commission President Mark Murai said, "We are very happy about the governors commitment to helping children make healthier snack and meal choices. Last year, the California Strawberry Commission sponsored a healthy recipe contest among school foodservice directors and awarded cash prizes to four school districts. Were continuing to reach out to this important group of people with nutritional information and new recipes that include one of the nations favorite and healthiest fruits: California strawberries."
The California Strawberry Commission supports and represents the California strawberry industry with programs in research, education, marketing and issues management, and represents an industry of over 600 growers, shippers and processors.
One of the bills Gov. Schwarzenegger signed was Senate Bill 281, which provides a framework to implement $18.2 million in the governors budget to include more fresh fruits and vegetables in school meal programs. By taking junk food and sodas off school campuses and adding fruits and vegetables, schools will become a foundation of health and nutrition for children across California.
Every year, schools have the opportunity to easily order a variety of fruits and vegetables from the USDAs Entitlement Commodity List, which now includes strawberries. Strawberries are also included on the USDAs list of super foods for being ranked among the highest in an antioxidant study conducted by USDA researchers.
Strawberries are lower in sugar (only seven grams per serving) and calories (45 calories for eight medium strawberries), and higher in vitamin C than the top-five most popular fruits. They are also a good source of potassium, folate and fiber.
California Strawberry Commission President Mark Murai said, "We are very happy about the governors commitment to helping children make healthier snack and meal choices. Last year, the California Strawberry Commission sponsored a healthy recipe contest among school foodservice directors and awarded cash prizes to four school districts. Were continuing to reach out to this important group of people with nutritional information and new recipes that include one of the nations favorite and healthiest fruits: California strawberries."
The California Strawberry Commission supports and represents the California strawberry industry with programs in research, education, marketing and issues management, and represents an industry of over 600 growers, shippers and processors.
