Paul Clinton
Bopping around from an apple toss to a grapefruit shotput, children
from a Surf City elementary school learned about the glory of fruits and
vegetables at a field trip.
More than 100 fourth- and fifth-graders from Isojiro Oka School
traveled to Tanaka Farms in Irvine for the knowledge.
Principal Joyce Buehler said the experience was a valuable way to
learn about the nutritional value of those things sitting next to the
pork chop on the dinner plate.
"Whenever they can have an on-site learning experience like that, it
enhances their learning tenfold," Buehler said. "Hands-on participation
is what it's all about in learning."
The event, Taking Kids from Fat to Fit, was sponsored by the American
Cancer Society as a way to head off obesity as children grow into
adulthood, said spokeswoman Jennifer Horspool.
"We're trying to get children to incorporate more fruits and vegetable
into their diets," Horspool said. "We wanted them to know the numerous
types of fruits and vegetables."
More than 1,500 children from all over Orange County participated.
The almost three-hour event was marked by a tour around the farm's
growing fields. Informational signs were posted to educate the children
about the various items.
Children then answered trivia questions about the fruits and
vegetables and played the fruit games.
During the "Strawberry Break-Fast" game, children carried strawberries
on a spoon while they walked quickly.
After the games, children dug into a salad bar -- from A (for apple)
to Z, or at least W (for winter squash).
Cancer society event organizers also encouraged the children to engage
in regular physical activity.
More than 40% of adults in California don't engage in any leisure-time
activity, they said.
* Paul Clinton covers City Hall and education. He may be reached at
(714) 965-7173 or by e-mail ato7 paul.clinton@latimes.comf7 .
