Commissary opens doors to kids for produce fun

  • Published
  • By Megan Just
  • 452 AMW Public Affairs
MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, CALIF. --  As March Air Reserve Base commissary shoppers browsed the produce department, they found themselves wheeling their carts around not only the fruit and vegetable display islands, but 28 moving obstacles, as well. Those obstacles were children, nibbling on "Ants on a Log" snacks they made themselves, hula-hooping in front of the apple coolers and jumping their way down a produce-themed hopscotch near the salad case.

The Fun Zone in the produce department was part of a campaign the Defense Commissary Agency launched for the month of June to encourage children to eat fresh fruits and vegetables and to exercise regularly. But with March being an Air Reserve base and with more than 85 percent of the commissary's customers being military retirees, there aren't usually many kids around.

Instead of canceling the campaign at the March store, commissary employees reached out to the local community and invited kids who attend daycare at the KinderCare Learning Center on Ironwood Avenue in Moreno Valley to spend a fun, educational morning in the produce department.

"We're just trying to promote being active and making better food choices," said Cheryl Varner, produce manager at the March Commissary and organizer of the June 24 event. "I always end up going over the top a little bit, because I love kids--more than I do produce," she added.

In addition to hopscotching, hula-hooping and making "Ants on a Log," Varner set up a crafts station where the kids used paint and black construction paper dots to transform halves of paper plates into colorful watermelon slices. Christina Phelps, a store associate and self-described "banana enthusiast," dressed in a banana costume and danced with the kids to zany children's songs.

Dan Smith, a retired Air Force technical sergeant, now a broadcast maintenance technician at the Defense Media Center, stopped to watch the kids making the watermelon crafts.

"If my son were here, he would enjoy this," Smith said.

S m i t h said he recalls seeing kids' events in the commissary at Misawa Air Base where he was once stationed, but added, "I don't think I've ever seen a dancing banana, though."

The three KinderCare teachers who accompanied the kids to the commissary said events such as these can be very helpful for kids who are "skeptical" about new foods.

"My kids are obsessed with junk food," said Jessica Roselle, a KinderCare school-age teacher. "If we can make it fun for them to eat healthy fruits and vegetables, they'll be more interested."

In planning the Fun Zone event, Varner worked closely with Steve Hass, who is a merchandiser with Coast, the company that provides fresh produce to Southern California commissaries. He built a large display geared toward kids in the rear of the produce department. At the display, he shared fun facts with the kids about produce.

"How many of you take vitamins?" Hass asked the children.

More than half of them raised their hands.

"All the vitamins you need to take are actually in the foods you eat," responded Hass, who has 38 years experience in the produce industry. He pointed out the kiwis and cantaloupes in the display, discussing the nutritional benefits of "eating colorfully."

One mom, Joanna Torres, wife of retired Air Force Tech. Sgt. Mario Torres, made a special trip to the commissary so her kids, Cierra and Cameron, could be there for the Fun Zone event.

"I think it was a really good idea, making the kids aware of healthier options, rather than soda and junk food," she said.

Cierra said she enjoyed making the watermelon craft, as well as hula-hooping. "It smells better," she said, comparing hula-hooping outdoors to hula-hooping indoors next to displays of fruit.

"I learned the avocado is also called the alligator (pear) and that there's lots and lots of kinds of fruits," Cierra said.

Phil Ruiz, March Commissary store director, said he was impressed with Varner's planning and the success of the event.

"She has that knack for dealing with customers of all ages, including the children we had here today. We're very fortunate we have someone who can reach out and communicate with the children," Ruiz said.

Varner said the idea for the event and planning was a team effort.

"We just put our heads together and thought of ways to keep them active and help them understand, in a fun way, why they should eats fruits and vegetables," she said.

At the end of the kids' time at the commissary, Varner handed out goodie bags containing coloring books, jump ropes, fruit and individually packaged healthy snack items, all donated by commissary vendors.

"Tell your mom and dad, when it's time for snacks, you want fresh fruits and veggies," Varner said to the kids as they clamored for the bags.