The first Lake Washington School District (LWSD) Farmers Market Night Fair will be held at Norman Rockwell Elementary School, 11125 162nd Ave. NE in Redmond, from 6-7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25.

Students and families will take “a trip to the farmers market” right at school. The goal is to encourage fruit and vegetable intake among children and families. Research shows only one in five children meet recommendations for fruit and veggie consumption.

“Healthy Snack Guides” will be available, to encourage parents to provide fruit and vegetable classroom snack options.

“Getting children in the habit of eating fruits and veggies not only provides them with the nutrients they need to grow, it also helps them develop healthy eating patterns as they get older,” said Nancy Lytle, LWSD School Services dietitian.

Additional activities at the event will include

cooking demonstrations, a Food Guide Pyramid relay race, and “Eat Better, Feel Better Bingo” games.

Students will lead their families to the school gym lined with market booths such as “Swamp Smoothies,” “Family Mealtime,” “Building a Healthy Snack – Fruit Kebobs” and more.

Special guests will include Princess Pita and Patty the Pancake Maker.

Italian Chef Barilla will serve a Hot Pasta Bar made with the LWSD standard product “Barilla Plus Pasta” a high fiber, omega-3 and protein fortified pasta.

The Family Mealtime exhibit will give children the opportunity to sit at a dinner table and enjoy conversation guided by a card game.

“Families will be encouraged to make family meals a priority. When adults and children eat together, children do better in school, have fewer behavior problems, learn family values, and create traditions,” Lytle added.