Taste the Rainbow

No, we’re not talking about eating Skittles. We’re talking about the rainbow of fruits and vegetables that make up Mother Nature’s color palette. That’s the message we hope to instill in the kids we reach. There are many different health benefits that you can get from eating a variety of colorful produce. Check out the handout we give to students in our Farmers Markets as an example.

At our most recent farmers market at Cahlan ES, it seems that message was coming through loud and clear. Ms. Momii, our nutrition education partner from the University of Nevada, Reno Extension, guided students in a hands-on tasting experience. Kids explored the flavors of spinach, arugula, and fresh orange slices, learning to squeeze orange juice over the greens to enhance their taste. Using all five senses, they discovered the unique qualities of each item—sparking reactions ranging from delight to surprise. One student captured the magic perfectly by exclaiming, “It tastes like a color from the rainbow!”

Our Farmers Markets provide an innovative way to engage with kids not currently enrolled in our nutrition education classes. Through a one-day program featuring a condensed nutrition lesson, food tasting, and a mini farmers market, we bring the joy and benefits of healthy eating to the forefront.

Following the tasting, Ms. Momii introduced the students to a fun challenge: munching their way through a rainbow of fruits and vegetables. She explained how each color provides different health benefits—red supports heart and memory health, green strengthens bones and immunity, and so on. Equipped with an activity sheet to track their progress, students committed to trying one colorful fruit or vegetable each day.

The grand finale was the Rainbow Farmers Market, where students redeemed red and green tokens for seasonal produce. With help from volunteers—including Chefs for Kids Board Members Jamie Poltrock from South Point Hotel & Casino and Steve Garnett from TriMark—the kids filled reusable grocery bags with colorful goodies like jicama, red pears, sweet potatoes, golden kiwi, snap peas, arugula, spinach, and even canned wild Maine blueberries.

This selection highlighted an important message: healthy eating isn’t limited to fresh produce. Canned, dried, and frozen fruits and vegetables can be just as nutritious when packaging is prepared without extra additives.

The students’ custom reusable grocery bags were packed with more than produce—they also contained nutrition-positive messaging, a coloring activity of fall produce, and a physical activity game to inspire healthy habits at home.

Our initiative not only combats food insecurity but also instills lifelong healthy eating habits. But we can’t do it alone. If you’re passionate about making a difference, join us as a volunteer! Your support helps us bring these experiences to more children in need. Let’s help kids “taste the rainbow” of Mother Nature’s finest offerings—and not just in the cafeteria, but in their daily lives. Together, we can make sure every child has the opportunity to live a healthier, brighter future.