Press Releases
Back to School - Survey says...Pack More Fruit!
8/25/2005
Survey Says…Pack More Fruit!
Fruit is Tops to Make Lunches Healthier And Adults Believe Kids Agree
(August XX, 2005 - Reedley, Calif.) The back-to-school buzz is officially here, and amid the many decisions kids are making about what clothes to wear and what classes to take, parents also have decisions of their own to make about what to pack in school lunches. An overwhelming majority of adults are motivated to provide healthy school lunches and are interested in creative ways to make fresh fruits and vegetables appealing to kids.
This and other interesting findings are now available from a recent survey conducted by the California Tree Fruit Agreement (CTFA). When asked what nutritious foods adults think kids would enjoy most in their school lunches, 80 percent of respondents felt kids would prefer fresh fruit over any other healthy choice, including vegetables and dairy products.
The survey also revealed that nine in 10 adults agree that parents should provide their children with fresh fruit in their lunches or as a snack on a daily basis. Further, 80 percent of adults think that most kids would enjoy eating a fresh peach, plum or nectarine that was packed in their lunch.
"Childhood obesity is a real issue - and fresh fruits are part of the solution," stated Katherine Beals, Ph.D., RD, FACSM, and nutrition consultant to the CTFA. "Fruits low in calories and high in nutritional value such as peaches, plums and nectarines are important in children's diets. All three fruits are a good source of vitamin C and other essential nutrients that kids need in order to be healthy, and their sweet flavors appeal to kids' palates. Packing them in school lunches is a great way to encourage healthy food habits."
In the CTFA survey, 80 percent of the respondents said they were interested in creative ways to make fresh fruits and vegetables appealing to kids. Below are tips to help parents do just that, while helping kids develop healthy eating habits for life.
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• Involve children in the lunch-making process. Kids are more likely to eat what they're proud of having had a hand in making.
• Make sure children have tasted what is packed before putting it in their lunch so it won't end up in the trash.
• Don't throw away slightly too-ripe fruit - make a plum or peach puree to spread on sandwiches, bagels, or swirl in yogurt instead of jam. Extend the California season by freezing the spread and enjoying it in the winter months.
• Don't forget breakfast! Studies have shown that on any given day, nearly 26 percent of students come to school on an empty stomach. Add some freshly sliced California peaches, plums or nectarines to breakfast cereal or vanilla yogurt topped with granola.
• Save time in the morning by chopping fruit the night before and tossing it with a little orange juice to prevent browning.
Adding fresh California peaches, plums or nectarines in children's lunches is a quick and easy way to help ensure kids are getting their recommended daily amount of fresh fruit. The CTFA survey also revealed that 62 percent of adults do not feel children eat a healthy and nutritious lunch at school. It can take a mere 15 minutes to provide children with healthy lunch options so that they won't make that trip to the vending machine for a soda and a candy bar - so parents, pack up - and get the kids involved as well!
For more back-to-school recipes and usage ideas incorporating peaches, plums and nectarines, visit www.eatcaliforniafruit.com.
The California Tree Fruit Agreement, headquartered in Reedley, Calif., administers marketing order programs on behalf of California`s 2,000 fresh peach, plum and nectarine farmers. Originally established in 1933, CTFA includes the Peach Commodity Committee and the Nectarine Administrative Committee, both federal programs, and the California Plum Marketing Board, a state program.
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Media Contact: Jordan Roberts/916-492-5317
robertsj@fleishman.com
CTFA: Sheri Mierau/559-638-8260 smierau@caltreefruit.com
Fresh Fruit in School Lunches
Key Survey Findings
When asked what nutritious foods adults think kids would enjoy most, 80 percent of adults felt kids would prefer fresh fruit over any other choice, including vegetables and dairy products.
Nine in 10 adults agree that parents should provide their children with fresh fruit in their lunches or as a snack on a daily basis.
Almost all adults (92 percent) say packing more fresh fruit in a school lunch would make it both healthy and appealing to a child.
The public feels that school lunches are inadequate in terms of being healthy and nutritious. Most adults disagree (62 percent) that children in the United States eat a healthy and nutritious lunch at school.
80 percent of adults think that most kids would enjoy eating a fresh peach, plum or nectarine packed in their lunch.
80 percent of adults are interested in creative ways to make fresh fruits and vegetables appealing to kids.
About the survey: The above statistics present the key findings of a telephone survey paid for by the California Tree Fruit Agreement. The survey was conducted among a national probability sample of 1012 adults comprising 505 men and 507 women 18 years of age and older, living in private households in the continental United States. It was completed during the period July 21 - 24, 2005.
Media Contact: Jordan Roberts/916-492-5317
robertsj@fleishman.com
CTFA: Sheri Mierau/559-638-8260
smierau@caltreefruit.com
Healthy Recipes to Help Kids Get Their Daily Fruit Recommendations
A new survey from the California Tree Fruit Agreement (CTFA) shows that 80 percent of adults are very interested in creative ways to make fresh fruits and vegetables appealing to kids. In response, the CTFA has created recipes designed especially for school lunches.
Parents can combine one of the recipes below with a healthy beverage and a fresh California peach, plum or nectarine for a lunch that will go a long way toward meeting intake goals. Better yet, parents can get their children involved in the preparation of these fun recipes.
FRUITY CHICKEN ROLL-UPS
Note to parents: Just do the prep work for these savory wraps, then have your kids follow the numbered instructions.
Prep time: 15 minutes
1 medium ripe nectarine, chopped
2 tablespoons red onion, minced (optional)
2 tablespoons red bell pepper, minced
1 tablespoon cilantro, snipped (optional)
1 teaspoon lime juice
6 tablespoons whipped cream cheese
1 (3-oz.) package Southwestern style seasoned chicken strips*
1/3 cup romaine lettuce, shredded
3 (8-inch) flour tortillas, white or whole wheat
1. MIX: Place nectarine, onion, bell pepper, cilantro and lime juice in a small bowl and stir well.
2. COVER: Press plastic wrap against the surface of the bowl and cover tightly, and refrigerate until ready to use.
3. ASSEMBLE: Spread equal amounts of cream cheese, chicken, lettuce and salsa on each tortilla.
4. FINISH: Roll up tightly and wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate until ready to pack.
Makes 3 small roll-ups.
*Can substitute 2 cups chopped rotisserie chicken meat seasoned with 2 teaspoons dry Mexican seasoning.
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Nutritional analysis per serving (one roll-up):
Calories 290, Fat 11, Saturated fat 5g, Cholesterol 35mg, Sodium 560mg, Carbohydrates 35g Fiber 3g, Sugars 6g, Protein 11g
TIPS:
• Pack baked tortilla chips with remaining salsa in small plastic container for a flavorful snack.
• Save time in the morning by making wraps the night before.
OOEY GOOEY PEANUT BUTTER AND PLUM STACKERS
Note to parents: Just do the prep work, then have your kids assemble these fun stackers by following the numbered instructions.
Prep time: 5 minutes
2 tablespoons peanut butter
1 teaspoon honey
Pinch of cinnamon
1/4 cup plums, finely chopped
3 slices cinnamon raisin bread (or other bread of your choice)
1. MIX: Stir together the peanut butter, honey and cinnamon in a small bowl.
2. ADD: Stir in the plums.
3. SPREAD: Spread half of the mixture on one bread slice.
4. STACK: Spread the other half of the mixture on another bread slices and stack on top of the first one. Top with the last slice.
5. CUT: Carefully cut into 4 pieces from corner to corner to make 4 triangles.
Makes 1 large or 2 smaller servings.
Nutritional analysis per serving for 1/2 sandwich:
Calories 240, Fat 11g, Saturated fat 1.5g, Cholesterol 0mg, Sodium 230mg, Carbohydrates 20g, Fiber 3g, Sugars 14g, Protein 9g
FRUIT SALAD SANDWICHES
Note to parents: Just do the prep work, then help your kids follow the simple numbered instructions below.
Prep time: 5 minutes
1 cup chopped fruit (peaches, plum and nectarines)
2 tablespoons peach yogurt
1 tablespoon honey roasted sliced almonds
1 tablespoon whipped cream cheese
1 wheat or white pita bread
1 large leaf green leaf lettuce
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1. MIX: Stir together the fruit, yogurt and almonds in a small bowl.
2. CUT: Remove a small piece off the top of the pita bread and carefully open it up.
3. COAT: Spread the inside with cream cheese and line with lettuce leaf, folding at the bottom.
4. FILL: Spoon the fruit salad into the lettuce and press lightly to close.
5. FINISH: Wrap tightly and refrigerate until ready to pack.
Makes 1 sandwich.
Nutritional analysis per serving:
Calories 280, Fat 10g, Saturated fat 3g, Cholesterol 15mg, Sodium 210mg, Carbohydrates 44g, Fiber 4g, Sugars 13g, Protein 7g
For more back-to-school recipes and usage ideas incorporating fresh California peaches, plums and nectarines, visit www.eatcaliforniafruit.com.