In an effort to encourage young students to eat more fruits and vegetables at school, the Texas Department of Agriculture created a coloring contest in conjunction with Fruit and Vegetable Month in April. The 2009 winners are listed below.

Kindergarten

Luke Abel, Stewart Elementary, Lubbock ISD, Region 1

Kate Lilley, Garner Elementary, Garner ISD, Region 2

Katie Quinlan, Colony Meadows Elementary, Fort Bend ISD, Region 3

Sudiksha Pradhan, Harmony School of Science Austin, Charter School, Region 4

Irving Zamora, West Elementary, Progreso ISD, Region 5

First Grade

Juliette Dickson, Wellington Elementary, Wellington ISD, Region 1

Mason Rust, Gordon ISD, Region 2

Jilberto Ruiz, Isaacs Elementary, Houston ISD, Region 3

Chy-Anne Smith, Jimmy Elrod Elementary, NISD, Region 4

Kayla L. Menchaca, Carl C Waitz Elementary, Mission ISD, Region 5

Second Grade

Regina Anaya, Kelley/Dodson Elementary, Denver City ISD, Region 1

Elizabeth Herrera, Barton Elementary, Irving ISD, Region 2

Sergio Cortez, Clemente Martinez Elementary, Houston ISD, Region 3

Ashley Fuentes, Dr. Lonnie Green Elementary, Sam Felipe Del Rio CISD, Region 4

Angela Garza, Carl C Waitz Elementary, Mission ISD, Region 5

The Eat Smart. Play Hard.^TM Campaign was launched by USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) in 2000. The Campaign encourages and teaches children, parents, and caregivers to eat healthy and be physically active everyday. Eat Smart. Play Hard.^TM offers resources and tools to convey and reinforce healthy eating and lifestyle behaviors that are consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the MyPyramid Food Guidance System.  The Web site includes pages focused on Educators, Parents and Caregivers, and Kids.

The Eat Smart. Play Hard.^TM for Educators site is full of features with updated and new resources, ideas on how to use them, and ready-to-go tools to use in conjunction with Power Panther visits.  Click the following link to access the Educators section of the Web site:
http://www.fns.usda.gov/eatsmartplayhardeducators/

The Eat Smart. Play Hard.^TM for Parents and Caregivers site is full of features with updated and new resources, ideas on how to use them, and ready-to-go tools to help you and your kids eat more healthfully and be more active every day.  Click on the following link to access the Parents and Caregivers section of the Web site:
www.fns.usda.gov/eatsmartplayhardhealthylifestyle

While you're there, be sure to check out the "Create Healthy, Active Celebrations" guide. It is full of ideas to help you and your family celebrate with festive food and fun games. It also includes tips for planning healthy, active parties, specific theme events with ideas for menus, activities, and decorations, as well as two-dozen recipes so your guests can "Eat Smart" at your celebration.

Click the link below to access this 46-page guide.
www.fns.usda.gov/eatsmartplayhardhealthylifestyle/QuickandEasy/celebrations.pdf

Kids will enjoy the The Eat Smart. Play Hard.^TM for Kids site, where they can explore a virtual town full of games, songs, activities, recipes, and reading to support them as they eat smarter and play harder. Click on the following link to access the Kids section of the Web site:
www.fns.usda.gov/eatsmartplayhardkids

Want to figure out how to get more fresh fruits and vegetables into your family's diet? Check out these Web sites to learn more about these foods that are chock-full of natural vitamins and nutrients.