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Community Corner

Festival Celebrates 10 Years of Growing Great Foods

Sunday's Healthy Living Festival is a feast for the family.

GrowingGreat will celebrate 10 years of teaching children healthier eating on Sunday, May 16, at its annual Healthy Living Festival at 13th Street Plaza in Manhattan Beach.

The festival, which runs from noon until 4 p.m., will feature 65 exhibiters highlighting food, fitness and eco-friendly living.

A climbing wall, fitness moon bounce for the kids and a raw food cooking demonstration by Ron Rotundi, chef and owner of Leaf Organics in Manhattan Beach, are only a few of the many scheduled activities.

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GrowingGreat Founder, President and Director of Development Peggy Curry says the goal is to inspire children and adults to adopt healthy eating habits and educate and excite children about the benefits of food and good nutrition. "We have been teaching healthier food choices for 10 years and we are so happy the rest of the country is now getting on board," she said.

Curry says the children are always excited to try the foods they've grown in a new and tasty recipe.

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GrowingGreat was the brainchild of a group of Manhattan Beach parents who believed children could benefit from a hands-on approach to gardening.

In 1999 Marika Bergsund began the program at Pacific Elementary School with a garden curriculum. Lori Sherman was enlisted to write a nutrition curriculum and, after receiving a state grant, the program was expanded to five more elementary schools. Today, GrowingGreat is in 20 schools statewide with plans to expand nationally. The organization is currently raising funds to support the development of a web-based model that will allow it to extend its reach.

Curry says the children sample a recipe created from the day's ingredients in each class. Parents also receive a flyer explaining that day's lesson and an interactive program to share at home.

Brenda Sternthal began serving as program manager for GrowingGreat after becoming familiar with the project through her own children.

"I started when my kids were in elementary school and have been involved ever since," Sternthal said. "Coming from Texas, we cook differently and the program has changed the way we shop, eat and feel entirely."

Sternthal says her children are now so acclimated to reading labels, they even check their gum wrappers.

"We all feel so much healthier and energetic since we began eating this way," she said.

Sternthal recommends her family's Swiss chard and greens recipe that has become a favorite with their friends and relatives.

"My husband makes it all the time and it's so easy and healthy, like Popeye's delight," she said. "He sautés garlic in olive oil then adds Swiss chard, broccoli, and all the greens. Once they have wilted to his taste, we add Celtic sea salt and it's always delicious."

Executive Director Sarah Gelb said the food sampling is a big hit with the classes. The smoothies made with yogurt and freshly grown fruit inspired students to make them at home.

Some of the foods grown in the gardens are sold at the Manhattan Beach Farmers' Market and the money is used to sustain the program.

Curry is thrilled the festival has grown in popularity.

"The first year we had 500 people and last year over 4,000 attended," she said.

For more information about becoming a volunteer or donating, visit the GrowingGreat website or call 310-939-9216.

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