First Lady Michelle Obama talks with elementary school children as they try different vegetables at Riverside Elementary School in Miami, Florida November 22, 2010. (Photo: Hans Deryk/Reuters)
Let's Move Salad Bars to Schools
First Lady announces new program for healthier school lunches
Riverside Elementary was the first school in the United States to receive one of 6,000 salad bars to be donated by First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! Salad Bars to Schools campaign. Mrs. Obama visited Riverside in Miami, Florida, on Monday to make the big announcement.
Mrs. Obama walked into the cafeteria smiling and ready to motivate students into a healthier lifestyle. The building shook with applause from students and faculty.
"One of the reasons why we chose to come to [Riverside] first is because of the garden you're growing," Mrs. Obama told the students. "Once you start harvesting from that garden, you can take that, put it in your salad bar, and have it for your lunches and for all your snacks."
The garden at Riverside is different than most gardens. It is planted in cement boxes.
"You are showing that without a stitch of land you can plant a garden," Mrs. Obama said. "That's important for the whole country to know, that you don't have to have a big field to plant vegetables. It just shows that if you really want to make something happen you really can."
Riverside students were excited about the new salad bar and the visit by the First Lady. They listened attentatively to her speech and learned.
"[Salad bars] are important because they're nutritious and help you and your bones grow," Luciano Cabrera, 12, of Miami, told the Scholastic Kids Press Corps.
"[They're important] because they make your brain stronger and give you more nutrients," added Ashley Battle, 11, of Miami.
Several local chefs were on hand for the presentation.
"I think [the salad bar program] is going to work fantastic," said Chef Frank Jeanetti. "Everybody's going to see this all over TV and the news and you guys are going to be talking about it and I think everybody's going to be anxious to have it."
Miami-Dade school superintendent Alberto Carvalho also offered some positive thoughts about the program.
"Growing smart is growing healthy," he said. "Installing salad bars with healthy foods and healthy fresh vegetables is key for the healthy growth of young men and women today."
To learn more about the program and to apply for a salad bar, school administrators can visit the new program's website at saladbars2schools.org.
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