While First Lady Obama did not make an appearance at Emerson as the children had hoped, Washington D.C. did send a high-ranking official, USDA Under Secretary of Agriculture Kevin Concannon, on Friday.
For students, the highlight of the Farmer's Market Salad Bar Anniversary Celebration occurred when USDA officials toured the Eastside Community Garden, sampling strawberries and listening to students expalin the benefits of having a salad bar and a school garden.
The Green Team students toured the officials around the garden, telling them first-hand how they enjoy planting, caring for, weeding, harvesting and especially eating fruits and vegetables.
Rodney K. Taylor, founder of the salad bar concept in Riverside received several awards during the ceremony including the Healthcare Champion Award from U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer.
Several news agencies reported on the salad bar anniversary event, including the Press Enterprise, Reuters, and KABC-TV.
Throughout the day, students and parents inquired about whether First Lady Obama would make a surprise visit, in response to the students' written invitation earlier in the month. First Lady Obama toured a community farm in San Diego on Thursday, as part of her Let's Move! campaign, but at the last moment sent word that she was unable to attend the event at Emerson on Friday.
In the 55 year history of Emerson Elementary School, Concannon is the highest ranking official to visit the school and interact with its students. It was a tremendous honor for us as a school to be able to host the Farmer's Market Salad Bar celebration, and to be able to show off our efforts to connect health, nutrition, science and physical activity in the Eastside Communiuty Garden, especially to such a broad audience.
It was reported that USDA officials hope to replicate the Farmers Market Salad Bar program as well as school gardening projects such as those at Emerson.
Great things happen at Emerson!!!
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