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By Shonda Johnston

Clark County Extension Office

How often do you eat fruits and vegetables? A recent report showed many children aged one to five years living in Kentucky do not eat at least one fruit or vegetable daily. There are many reasons for this, but kiddos often don’t want to try new foods, and parents don’t have the energy to “Fight the Fight.” So in comes your local FCS agent to give you a fun challenge to make food fun and to encourage children to try new foods, especially fruits and vegetables.

This Saturday, Aug. 12, is Kids Day at the Winchester-Clark County Farmer’s Market, where the first 100 kids will get vouchers to spend at the market on fruits, vegetables or meat. The extension office will have some fun activities and a challenge for you and your kiddos. We will be promoting our August Eating Over the Rainbow Challenge, where we encourage your kiddo to eat at least one fruit and vegetable each day for one week. You can sign up at the Kids Day event or by coming by the Clark County Extension Office at 1400 Fortune Drive now through the end of August.

We will provide you with activities to do with children and tips for encouraging children to give fruit and vegetables a chance. We hope you join us in taking action to help children try at least one fruit and vegetable each day for a week and if you complete your challenge card, return it to the office for a prize and a chance to win a rainbow basket of goodies!

All Eating over the Rainbow cards must be returned by Sept. 8 to receive prizes. We hope to see you at the farmers market, choosing a variety of fruits and veggies.

Educational programs of the cooperative extension service serve all people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expressions, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability.

Shonda Johnston is the Clark County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences. She can be reached at (859) 744-4682 or by email at shonda.johnston@uky.edu.