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Commissioner Staples announces winners of Fruit and Vegetable Month Contest AUSTIN — Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples today announced the winners of the Texas Department of Agriculture’s 2009 Fruit and Vegetable Month contest.
The contest, which ran in conjunction with the Texas Legislature’s designation of April as Fruit and Vegetable Month, encouraged Texas schoolchildren in grades Kindergarten through second to eat more fruits and vegetables. The contest is part of Commissioner Staples’ continued effort to encourage young Texans to embrace the 3E’s of Healthy Living – Education, Exercise and Eating Right.
“This contest encouraged our young Texans to adopt healthy eating habits, which have lifelong benefits,” Commissioner Staples said. “The contest entries showed a great deal of creativity. This is a fun activity aimed at reinforcing the importance of enjoying fruits and vegetables every day.”
At the beginning of April, students received a calendar on which they placed a sticker for each day they ate a fruit or vegetable at school breakfast or lunch. Students also colored cartoons on the back of the calendar to be eligible for prizes.
TDA recognized 15 winning students for their artistic creativity and the amount of fruits and vegetables consumed. In addition, the school with the highest percentage of student participation will be awarded a back-to-school fruit and vegetable party in August 2009. H-E-B, Safeway and Apple Country Farmers’ Market will provide prizes and support for the party.
TDA picked a winner for the three grade levels in five regions across the state:
West Texas
North Texas
Gulf Coast
South Central
The Valley
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