On behalf of the Healthy Schools Healthy Communities (HSHC), the Texas County Health Department has partnered with the Cabool and Houston Town and Country Supermarkets to offer the “Fruit 4 Kids” program. Any child 12-and-under shopping with an adult can enjoy one piece of fruit from designated baskets. “This is one more effort on behalf of Healthy Schools Healthy Communities to make fresh fruit available for our children,” said HSHC community wellness coordinator Earlene Stoops. “Town and Country was glad to provide the fruit, and we’re really happy to have them work with us.”
Standing next to the fruit baskets in the Houston store are Stoops, left, and produce manager Samantha Morris. Stoops said HSHC will conduct a “Kid Tasted, Kid Approved” event sometime in May at the same two stores. “Kids 12-and-under can come in and taste fruit we will have out for them and let us know which one is their favorite,” she said. “By doing so, they will get their name entered into a drawing for either a Houston or Cabool city pool pass or a smoothie machine. We will have a sign in sheet at the Kid Tasted Kid Approved so we can get name and contact numbers for participants.” For more information, call Stoops at 417-967-4131.