Snack Attacked

In an ever changing world, it is good to know that one can rely on the predictability of certain things.

I was slightly concerned that Fairway was going to catch on that I figured out the method to their apple sale schedule.

How happy I was to go through my circulars this morning and see that my calculations were correct and my giant granny smith apples were most certainly back on sale tomorrow.

It is the little things in life, people. Remember that.

While on the topic of fruit, as you recall, this week’s color for Snack Attack at school is green.

On Monday I sent the boy with slices of honeydew (courtesy of my wonderful selfless neighbor who shares her Edible Arrangement).

The goal of snack attack is to encourage kids to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables. They encourage a certain color each week but you can really bring in any fruit or vegetable you wish.

So, since Monday, the boy has requested blueberries.

Now, I didn’t really know he liked the blueberry. Sure, I put a few on his breakfast plate often and sometimes he pops one into his mouth but his typical berry of choice is the strawberry.

But not this week.

I have been trying to push the strawberries on him all week and he wants no part of it.

While I am thrilled he likes berries, I am not as selfless as my neighbor when it comes to sharing food. You know this.

I have a feeling he knows that the strawberries are on special at every grocery store this week and the blueberries are not.

However, I have been giving him the blueberries because it would go against the code of healthy eating parent to ever deny a child fresh produce.

Chocolate covered fruit of course is another story.

Anyway, I am very proud that my child likes a variety of fruits. And, that he is willing to try vegetables and sometimes he even enjoys them.

I know we have discussed how important it is to expose our kids to a variety of wholesome foods like fruits and vegetables because if we don’t, the chances of them choosing these foods over candy and processed snacks is highly unlikely.

I came across this coupon last week.

A Sweet Tart looking candy that is marketed as providing kids with the benefits of eating 11 fruits and veggies? 

Does anyone else see the problems with this?

Not only does handing a child a “tasty tart” in place of food encourage the consumption of candy, it also discourages children from possibly learning to like fruits and vegetables.

And, if the parents are supposed to feel confident that these tarts are providing health benefits as well as 3 SERVINGS OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES, why would they bother to buy produce. They wouldn’t.

And probably my biggest issue with the tart?

Giving children a tart is not exactly satisfying the appetite. Nor is it even a beverage that can be passed off as possibly quenching one’s thirst.

So when the kids are hungry, instead of now slicing up an apple or carrot sticks (most likely no fruit or vegetables in the house), they are probably reaching in the pantry for a processed snack chip.

This tart in my opinion is certainly not helping with the alarming rise in childhood obesity.

I mean really, think of what happened to poor Violet in Wonka’s factory when she ate the gobstopper that replaced a 3 course meal.

Confession: I contacted this Voots and gave them a piece of my mind.

Oh yeah. I went there.

Old ladies are typically known for their letter writing skills. You know what I mean. You must know someone’s grandmother or even your own that shoots off  “the letter” to express her anger, displeasure, resentment, frustration or any old negative feeling.

Since I am 34, I am tech savvy. No pen and paper for my letter. Email was my avenue for expressing my emotions.

I filled out the “contact us” on the Voot’s website so I do not have the exact wording for my message. But I am sure you get the gist of what I probably said from this post.

And their response?

Thank you for writing us to express your concerns. We think Voots® Veggie-Fruit Tarts are a tasty, fun, and convenient supplement for kids — made with Vitamin C and real fruits and vegetables. But they are just that — a supplement — intended to be used as part of a healthy, balanced diet. They are not ever meant to replace the real thing, and our packaging clearly states that fact.

We too share your views about the problem of childhood obesity in this country, and the importance of teaching kids to enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables. In fact, as a brand, we have made it our mission to help parents raise happy, healthy kids by providing them with information and tools to educate their kids and include fruits and vegetables in their diets in fun ways.

In addition, we are proud to be supporting the charity, kidsgardening.org, a resource of the National Gardening Association, by donating over $25,000 in the form of garden grants to schools in need, so that kids around the country can get involved in planting and growing their own fruits and vegetables.

Voots® Veggie-Fruit Tarts look forward to supporting families as they strive to introduce fresh and healthy fruits and veggies into their kids diets.

Uh huh. Typical form letter response. And, if they truly cared about teaching the importance of fruits and vegetables, they probably wouldn’t package 11 varieties in a Sweet Tart.

Maybe I am over-reacting but I know I won’t be buying this product.

I would love to know your thoughts.