Are children’s gatherings featuring junk food overdone?

When I was in elementary school, except for recess, it was all work. School started after Labor Day with the Texas temperatures still in the 90’s, and no AC in site. And adults never gave us ice cream or popsicles to cool off. I don’t remember ever having classroom birthday and other celebrations featuring cupcakes topped with brightly colored frosting.

I’m not sure when the change occurred, but for modern children, there are many occasions both in and outside of school to celebrate with junk food. Halloween, Valentine’s, club meetings, and birthday celebrations almost always include treats. You never know when the birthdays are going to fall, so there could be several in a row.

Attempting to avoid the title “food police”, I’ve never written or talked about this issue. But I was inspired by a recent article written by U.S. News health columnist Yoni Freedhoof, “Why is everyone always giving my kids junk food?”

Freedhoof writes, “There's simply no occasion too small to not warrant a junk food accompaniment. But for me, the strangest part of all is the outcry that occurs if and when I point it out. My experiences have taught me that junk food as part of children's' activities has become so normalized that my questioning this sugary status quo genuinely offends people's sensitivities and sometimes even generates frank anger. People other than their parents giving children junk food shouldn't be considered "normal," and until that attitude changes, I guess I'll just have to keep pointing out how crazy our new normal has become.”

According to Freedhoof, father of three girls and a physician, a conservative estimate is that his children are being offered an average of at least 600 sugar-spiked calories of junk each and every week. Assuming a conservative 70 percent of that junk's calories are coming from sugar, that's 26.25 teaspoons of added sugar a week, or more than 14 pounds of the white stuff a year.

Maybe 26 teaspoons of sugar a week being offered is an exaggeration. But even half this amount is too much. I see four main issues with children eating so much sugar.

The first is the development of a real sweet tooth, which distorts taste buds and can lead to picky eating. The subtle flavors of many foods, including vegetables, may not be appreciated. Health promoting foods may be refused, since there will be a sweet available soon. Sweets are addictive, and if you start the habit early on, it’s really hard to change later in life.

Second, is the consumption of artificial colors, which are often married to sugar. A study by the United Kingdom’s Food Standards Agency in 2007 showed that the consumption of foods containing dyes could increase hyperactive behavior in children. Great to contribute to the classroom?

Third, sugar is a concentrated source of calories. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2010, more than one third of children and adolescents were overweight or obese. The chance of an overweight child becoming a healthy weight as an adult is very low. My concern is the related complications they may experience, like diabetes and high blood pressure.

Plus, we all know that sweets are associated with tooth decay.

We should consider how to enjoy life and feel special with healthier choices and less junk food. For example, maybe parents and teachers could agree to have only one classroom celebration a month. Parents could bring in fruit and vegetable trays and a small amount of cake. All with birthdays that month would be recognized, even the children from families who are unable to contribute. Adults should always consider nutritional quality when providing food for other people’s children.  

I would love to get the opinion of the community on this issue, especially parents and teachers. Please e-mail your thoughts and suggestions to me, address below.

Margie Mansure, M.S., R.D. is a registered dietitian/nutritionist and extension agent with NC Cooperative Extension. She offers personalized classes to improve the health of citizens in Watauga County through worksites, schools and community groups. margie_mansure@ncsu.edu., (828)264-3061

Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Training Series Offered in Ashe County, Begins March 19

Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Training Series Offered in Ashe County

March 19, 20, 27 and 28, 2013

Are you a farmer who has heard about new food safety rules and regulations?  Are your produce buyers asking for GAP Certification or other evidence that your product is safe to eat?  North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Alleghany, Ashe and Watauga County Centers, in partnership with High Country Workforce Development, will offer a Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) training to prepare area growers for certification.  The classes will be held in the Agriculture Service Center in Ashe County (134 Government Circle, Jefferson, North Carolina) March 19, 20, 27 and 28, 2013, from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. and are limited to 20 participants.  All four classes are mandatory for growers to receive training certification.

Cost for the training is $125.00 per person but scholarships for the class are available on a first come first serve basis and will cover the entire fee.  Scholarship applications and registration must be completed in order to be considered eligible for the class.  Scholarships may be obtained at the North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Ashe County Center at 134 Government Circle, Suite 202, Jefferson, North Carolina.

Travis Birdsell, Teresa Herman, and Richard Boylan, Extension Agents, will be providing a hands-on program that will guide growers through a food safety program, recordkeeping requirements necessary for GAP certification and accessing wholesale markets.  Participants will receive Food Safety procedure notebooks and digital resources, and can complete their own farm records during the class sessions.  Training certifications will be received at the end of successful class completion.

For additional information regarding the class or registration please contact the Ashe County Center of NC Cooperative Extension at (336) 846-5850.

4-H Fruit Plant Sale

The deadline for the Watauga County 4-H  annual fruit plant sale is approaching.   Proceeds help support youth programs in Watauga County.  Supplies are available at a first-come first ordered basis.

Plants available include blueberry, strawberry, blackberry, raspberry, and heritage apple trees. 

For an order form, come by the Cooperative Extension office at 971 West King Street, call 264-3061 or download here

The deadline is March 25

Know how grows your food....Time to become a CSA member

You can name your dentist, doctor, or personal trainer. But what about your farmer? Paying a farmer to grow your food may be the best investment you ever make. Not only is the food top quality, it is extremely fresh and full of vitamins, minerals, and disease fighting compounds.

Joining a CSA(Community Supported Agriculture) is a great way to get to know who grows your food. Most growers encourage farm visits. Amy Fiedler of Springhouse Farm grew for 16 families last year and found the relationship with her members to be one of the most satisfying aspects of the job. She said, “I think it’s so important for people to know how food is grown, now more than ever. Anyone is welcome to lend a helping hand and get involved in whatever area they are interested in on the farm.” Amy sites another major benefit as knowing how much to grow for a known market. She would like to expand considerably for the 2013 season, and is willing to work with community members who receive EBT, formally known as food stamp benefits. 

Typically, CSA members join by paying a set fee for produce and other farm goods between now and early spring to receive a weekly supply of freshly picked food as it ripens. This is a great way to learn about the growing season. Vegetables harvested in May are typically cold tolerant, like lettuce, bok choy and other greens, with corn and tomatoes arriving late in the summer.
 
Becoming a CSA member helps small, local farms survive financially, since they have many expenses this time of year and haven’t really been paid since the end of last growing season. You invest in them and they reward you every week with healthy, beautiful, sustainably grown food.

I have listed a few farms that are taking CSA members right now. I’m sure there are some programs that I have unintentionally excluded. If you would like to get more information and meet growers, make plans to attend a CSA fair on Monday, March 18^th beginning at 4:30. This will be held at the Agricultural Conference Center, 252 Poplar Grove Rd. in Boone.

Spring House Farm is certified organic and located in Vilas. You may choose a half share, which provides approximately $15 worth of vegetables each week for $300, due by April 1. A full share provides around $25 worth of vegetables each week for $500. If you live near Vilas, you may pick up your produce on the farm Tuesdays between noon and 6 p.m. at their produce stand beginning May 28^th. If the Watauga County Farmers’ Market is more convenient, you may pick your produce up there between 8 and 11:30 a.m., beginning May 25th. The season lasts for 20 weeks. Contact Amy Feidler with any questions or to reserve your share. Phone: (828)719-6825,   e-mail: amyj@skybest.com , http://www.springhousefarm.net/

Creeksong Farm is not certified organic, but uses organic methods for production and is located in Creston. They offer a variety of produce, beef and eggs. Pickups begin June 4^th between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and continue for 20 weeks at the Agricultural Conference Center loading dock in Boone, or between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m. at the farm in Creston. If the Watauga County Farmers’ Market is more convenient, you may pick your produce up there between 10 and 11:30 a.m. on Saturdays. Full shares cost $500, and you receive $25 worth of food each week. Half shares cost $300, and you receive $15 worth of food each week. A 50% deposit is due March 20, and the rest of the payment is due May 1. For more information, call Jeff and Bettie Thomas at (336) 385-6302 or visit http://www.creeksongfarm.com/CreeksongFarm/CSA.html.

High Country CSA represents a group of growers and producers that grow according to organic standards, but may not be certified. There are several options for the 2013 season, which runs from June through mid-October. The garden share contains four to six vegetables weekly. This option is perfect for small households; $300. The full harvest contains seven to 10 seasonal produce items, including herbs. It is appropriate for large households, or small households that rely on produce for a significant portion of their diet; $600. The variety share highlights four to six seasonal produce items, while also including special items like free-range eggs, breads, goat cheese, molasses, etc. This option will introduce you to the best variety in High Country food; $600. An egg share may be added to any of the three main share options.  The egg share features a dozen free-range eggs biweekly, 10 dozen total; $42.

The priority deadline is April 15th. Sign up and pay for the entire season by June 1^st. If you receive EBT benefits, ask about the details of becoming a member. The pickup locations are Bare Essentials in Boone every Tuesday from 3:00 to 6:30 p.m. and Blowing Rock Produce & Provisions from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Visit their website: http://highcountrycsa.org/summer-shares or e-mail: highcountrycsa@gmail.com

You can name your dentist, doctor, or personal trainer. But what about your farmer? Paying a farmer to grow your food may be the best investment you ever make. Not only is the food top quality, it is extremely fresh and full of vitamins, minerals, and disease fighting compounds.

Joining a CSA(Community Supported Agriculture) is a great way to get to know who grows your food. Most growers encourage farm visits. Amy Fiedler of Springhouse Farm grew for 16 families last year and found the relationship with her members to be one of the most satisfying aspects of the job. She said, “I think it’s so important for people to know how food is grown, now more than ever. Anyone is welcome to lend a helping hand and get involved in whatever area they are interested in on the farm.” Amy sites another major benefit as knowing how much to grow for a known market. She would like to expand considerably for the 2013 season, and is willing to work with community members who receive EBT, formally known as food stamp benefits. 

Typically, CSA members join by paying a set fee for produce and other farm goods between now and early spring to receive a weekly supply of freshly picked food as it ripens. This is a great way to learn about the growing season. Vegetables harvested in May are typically cold tolerant, like lettuce, bok choy and other greens, with corn and tomatoes arriving late in the summer.
 
Becoming a CSA member helps small, local farms survive financially, since they have many expenses this time of year and haven’t really been paid since the end of last growing season. You invest in them and they reward you every week with healthy, beautiful, sustainably grown food.

I have listed a few farms that are taking CSA members right now. I’m sure there are some programs that I have unintentionally excluded. If you would like to get more information and meet growers, make plans to attend a CSA fair on Monday, March 18^th beginning at 4:30. This will be held at the Agricultural Conference Center, 252 Poplar Grove Rd. in Boone.

Spring House Farm is certified organic and located in Vilas. You may choose a half share, which provides approximately $15 worth of vegetables each week for $300, due by April 1. A full share provides around $25 worth of vegetables each week for $500. If you live near Vilas, you may pick up your produce on the farm Tuesdays between noon and 6 p.m. at their produce stand beginning May 28^th. If the Watauga County Farmers’ Market is more convenient, you may pick your produce up there between 8 and 11:30 a.m., beginning May 25th. The season lasts for 20 weeks. Contact Amy Feidler with any questions or to reserve your share. Phone: (828)719-6825,   e-mail: amyj@skybest.com , http://www.springhousefarm.net/

Creeksong Farm is not certified organic, but uses organic methods for production and is located in Creston. They offer a variety of produce, beef and eggs. Pickups begin June 4^th between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and continue for 20 weeks at the Agricultural Conference Center loading dock in Boone, or between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m. at the farm in Creston. If the Watauga County Farmers’ Market is more convenient, you may pick your produce up there between 10 and 11:30 a.m. on Saturdays. Full shares cost $500, and you receive $25 worth of food each week. Half shares cost $300, and you receive $15 worth of food each week. A 50% deposit is due March 20, and the rest of the payment is due May 1. For more information, call Jeff and Bettie Thomas at (336) 385-6302 or visit http://www.creeksongfarm.com/CreeksongFarm/CSA.html.

High Country CSA represents a group of growers and producers that grow according to organic standards, but may not be certified. There are several options for the 2013 season, which runs from June through mid-October. The garden share contains four to six vegetables weekly. This option is perfect for small households; $300. The full harvest contains seven to 10 seasonal produce items, including herbs. It is appropriate for large households, or small households that rely on produce for a significant portion of their diet; $600. The variety share highlights four to six seasonal produce items, while also including special items like free-range eggs, breads, goat cheese, molasses, etc. This option will introduce you to the best variety in High Country food; $600. An egg share may be added to any of the three main share options.  The egg share features a dozen free-range eggs biweekly, 10 dozen total; $42.

The priority deadline is April 15th. Sign up and pay for the entire season by June 1^st. If you receive EBT benefits, ask about the details of becoming a member. The pickup locations are Bare Essentials in Boone every Tuesday from 3:00 to 6:30 p.m. and Blowing Rock Produce & Provisions from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Visit their website: http://highcountrycsa.org/summer-shares or e-mail: highcountrycsa@gmail.com

North Fork Farm offers boxes of frozen beef, pork and chicken that are available for five months, from April until August. Full shares consist of five monthly deliveries of up to 20 pounds for $550. Half shares consist of five monthly deliveries of approximately 10 pounds for $300. North Fork Farm is committed to distributing quality beef, pork and chicken to CSA members. All meat is USDA inspected, vacuum packed and raised without antibiotics or added hormones. The payment deadline is April 5^th. They meet their members at the Agricultural Conference Center parking lot in Boone. For more information, contact Jimmy and Sheila Greene at 828-297-5755, e-mail northforkfarm@skybest.com Visit their website at http://northforkfarmbeef.com/