Coloring the Menu: Chestnut Hill's Eating the Rainbow

Parents often have to tell their kids more than once to "eat your vegetables" but at Chestnut Hill Elementary School last week, students were eager to sample the colorful foods on their plates.

The school's annual nutrition program "Eating the Rainbow" brings music, jokes and vegetables to the table in an effort to improve nutrition. After a week at Chestnut Hill,the program moved on to other elementary schools this week. The program is the brainchild of Sharon Pesner, who has seen it spread to other school districts.  The program establishes a week in which students bring in fruits and vegetables for snack and lunch, reflecting that day's color theme.

"There is such great energy that surrounds this program. It comes through the volunteers and is received whole heartily by the children," Pesner said. "I believe this is why our program is such a success."

On green day last week, energized Chestnut Hill students sampled celery, stringed beans and edamame while sharing jokes about vegetables, listening to music and enjoying puppets. 

One young girl, told the day's lineup,  gushed, "I LOVE edamame!" Celery and stringbeans turned into mustaches before becoming snacks for one group of girls. 

"Eating the Rainbow is a wonderful program that encourages our students to make healthy food choices," said Maryann Fasciana, school principal. "Through the use of vibrant decorations, educational videos, taste tests of various fruits and vegetables and graphing activities our students are motivated to explore healthier eating habits."