PANA Celebrates Broccoli – Yes, Broccoli – With Go for the Greens
Third annual statewide event encourages healthy eating

Joel L. Cliff, PR Director, PANA

Go for the what?! Like Olympic athletes who “go for the gold,” students across Pennsylvania were encouraged to “Go for the Greens” on March 14 by making healthy food choices a part of their own daily diet as they strive to stay fit and active.

Judging by the numbers, cucumbers and kiwis can be a real hit with kids and youth: more than 770 schools and nearly 335,000 students across the Commonwealth took part in the third annual edition of this statewide event.

And many schools found that there is truly strength in numbers, as group reactions to trying new fruits and vegetables were often more positive than the typical individual responses.

“Go for the Greens” is organized by Pennsylvania Advocates for Nutrition and Activity (PANA – www.panaonline.org), a coalition of various public and private partners working with schools and communities throughout the state to help promote healthy eating and physical activity.

The March 14 event reached out to youth, families, and the community to show that a variety of green veggies and fruits could be good food and good fun. Schools and their community partners celebrated broccoli and all other things green through taste-testings, trivia contests, increased menu offerings, recipe competitions, and many other vegetable-based games, activities, and lessons.

“Go for the Greens” is part of PANA’s annual Keystone Healthy Zone (KHZ) Schools campaign. There are currently 1,575 schools enrolled in the free program, which provides materials, training, promotional events (like “Greens”), and mini-grants to help schools create healthier environments.

“Schools have such a dramatic impact on children’s attitudes, behaviors, and habits,” notes Allison Topper, PANA’s executive director. “‘Go for the Greens’ helps students and families discover delicious ways to enjoy green fruits and vegetables, and make healthy choices more available at school and at home.”