This Issue:

Table of Contents

Cover Story

Cover Story - Spanish Version

Mini-Lesson

Comprehension Quiz

Teacher's Guide and Worksheets

Make Lunch Fresher

Spanish Translation

On a recent Thursday, a long line of excited kids formed in the cafeteria at Edmunds Elementary School. The students were eager to try a tasty new treat--bright green pizza! "People liked it," says Elizabeth Brown, 8. "They were spreading the word."

Bright green pizza? It may sound like a science experiment gone bad. It's actually a fresh menu item made with locally grown vegetables. The students were trying pesto pizza for the first time. Pesto is a thick sauce made with garlic, cheese and herbs.

Farmers Serve Up School Lunch
Edmunds and other public schools in Burlington, Vermont, are part of a farm-to-school program. The program brings locally grown fruits and vegetables to the cafeteria. The basil that the students used to make pesto was picked that day at a nearby farm.

At least 400 school districts in 23 states serve farm-fresh foods for lunch. The program is good for local farmers who sell their produce to the schools. It's also good for kids' health to eat more fresh produce. Best of all, students seem to like it. Third-grader Tian Berry says the food just tastes better: "It hasn't been sitting on the shelf for 10 days."

Next: Focus on the Giant Squid