Healthy Corner Stores

As I've said more than a few times lately, my life in food has been seriously busy. One of the many great projects I am trying to lend a hand in is the Healthy Corner Store Initiative in New Haven, CT lead by a great local organization: CARE and the New Haven Health Department.  The idea is to work with local corner store owners to carry more healthy foods and to place them in prominent locations in the store to increase the amount of healthy foods purchased by customers. One of the main objectives is to get the stores connected with local wholesale produce vendors to get fresh fruits and vegetables into the stores. Here is a link to an article on the launching of the second Healthy Corner Store - Clinton Food Center, last week, and an article on the first launch of Adam's Store the week before.

 

Kids from the school across the street help to launch the healthy corner store 

with pledges to eat healthy foods and snacks (above). Some of the new fruits and 

vegetables being carried at the store, and racks of healthier snack options,

a better alternative to potato chips and candy bars (below).

For each store launch I have been helping out by serving up fruit kebabs to get kids and adults thinking and eating fresh. The kebabs are a big hit, and really easy to make. 

The thing I love about fruit kebabs is that they take simple fruits and make them festive and easy to eat in a party setting, no plates or utensils needed. I served these for my son's birthday party in the park this spring and the kids loved them, as much or more than the cake! Many schools are working to eliminate cupcakes and sugary sweets in the classroom for kid's birthdays during the school year, and something like fruit kebabs are a great fun alternative treat!

Fruit Kebabs

Ingredients:

An assortment of fresh fruits: pineapple, melon, grapes, strawberries, apples, etc. 

   Soft squishy fruits such as raspberries, mango, kiwi or oranges, don't work as well.

   If using apples you'll also need a lemon or some cinnamon

 6-8 inch long skewers, available in the cooking supply or grilling area of the grocery store

1. Wash and cut fruit into 1 inch cubes and place in separate bowls or bags. Grapes can be left whole, strawberries can be cut if they are large, and apples should be tossed in a touch of lemon juice to stop them from browning. Cinnamon can also be used on apples if you enjoy the flavor.
2. Use the pointed side of the skewer to poke through each piece of fruit. For a nice display, choose a pattern for the fruit and make a large bunch of kebabs with the same pattern so they look nice on a platter.
3. Cover and keep refrigerated until you are ready to serve. Will hold for 1 day in the fridge, but are best if made within a few hours of serving. Enjoy!

These kebabs would be fun made with vegetables as well 

and served up with a salad dressing dipping sauce.