Planet Organic's School Lunch Fairy Offers Tips to Pack Easy, Healthy Lunches

Planet Organic Market, Canada's leading natural and organic supermarket chain, a division of Planet Organic Health Corp, wants parents to know their school lunch fairy, Fennel Fairy, offers healthy, quick ideas for school lunches.

Planet Organic is offering a food tracking device which can help you track how many fruits and vegetables you eat every day featuring Fennel Fairy, the company’s new mascot.

Amy Carrier, who isn’t a fairy but a university-educated food specialist for Planet Organic Markets says, “Fresh, local fruits and vegetables are a healthy snack compared to processed, packaged fruit.” Local produce maximizes the enzyme and nutrient levels of the foods you eat, but it also supports local farmers and our economy.

Ms. Carrier suggests that parents cut organic cheese using a cookie cutter with their child’s favourite shape or cartoon character. She adds, “Getting your kids to help make their lunch will make it exciting for them to eat. Not only are you spending quality time with your children, but you’re also teaching them valuable skills to eat healthy.”

Quick & Easy School Lunch Tips in 10 Minutes or Less:
Fill a baggy with pistachios, almonds, raisins and organic crackers; a healthy trail mix without chocolate but lots of protein.
Instead of peanut butter and jam sandwiches, use whole wheat wraps, spread organic peanut butter on one side, place a full banana inside, then wrap it. Cut the wrap into pinwheels.
Get your children in the habit of eating whole-grain bread. Once they have this habit, it's there for life! Pack a whole-grain sandwich with light meat, like turkey, and add organic veggies: tomatoes, lettuce, cucumber and mustard.

“For those of you whose children are lactose-intolerant, pack soy milk, rice-based beverages, or vegan products such as cheese without milk or eggs. For anyone with a wheat allergy, don’t eat enriched flour, gluten, multi-grain breads, rolled wheat, wheat bran, wheat bread, wheat pasta, white flour, whole-wheat flour and couscous. Instead, purchase gluten-free/wheat-free breads, such as pitas, wraps, bagels, and bread. An alternative for peanut better is apple butter, mashed avocado or banana, cream cheese, honey, hummus, tomato sauce, or pesto. Just add these ingredients to your child’s favourite fruits and vegetables, and you’ll have a safe, healthy meal,” says Ms. Carrier.

ABOUT PLANET ORGANIC

Planet Organic Markets operates natural food supermarkets in Edmonton, Victoria, Calgary, Port Coquitlam and Halifax and will open more stores in Calgary and Port Credit, Ontario in the autumn of 2006. Good food, good for you and good for the earth – that’s been the company’s motto for the past 15 years. Planet Organic Markets sells only 100% certified organic produce, all-natural groceries, a healthy deli selection, organic meats, fair trade coffee and chocolates as well as all-natural supplements, and body care products. We just say no to trans fats, preservatives, food colouring and artificial flavours. Log on to www.planetorganic.ca to find a market in your hometown.