After watching food preparation demonstrations, the kids got to sample the healthful choices.
Rey Domingo, 16, a sophomore at Stacey High School at Lackland ISD, said he attended the event for the food.
“The food was really good,” said Domingo, who also stars on the track team. “I’m learning about health, and I feel people should start eating healthier.”
Avion Swindell, 15, also a sophomore, agreed.
“The food was delicious,” she said. “I like to cook and learn more about nutrition.”
And it wasn’t just the older kids who hungrily ate the samples.
“The sauce tastes different, but it’s good,” said Lackland Elementary School student Caitlyn Baney, 10, as she took a bite of the pizza that consisted of a tomato paste-based sauce, mozzarella cheese and sliced tomatoes on top of an English muffin with broccoli and ranch dressing on the side.
Shawn Brown, 10, also enjoyed the snacks, even helping himself to seconds.
“It was good. I’m going to eat again,” he said.
Pre-schoolers at JBSA-Randolph were entertained as Alexander demonstrated making a yogurt dip for carrot and celery sticks, and offered a new twist on popsicles: frozen bananas dipped in yogurt and granola.
Carolyn Simoneaux, a mother of four, attended the presentation with her youngster Matthew.
“It is very helpful to have some new fresh ideas of ways to get healthful foods into the kids, especially with all of their sports activities. What the chef showed us today was quick and easy, and very portable. I appreciate that,” she said.
Dawn Carroll-Alexander said her 4-year-old, Simon, recently became a picky eater.
“Right now, it’s a matter of expressing his independence in choosing what he will eat. It was good to learn some fun ways of presenting fruits and vegetables to entice him to try new things,” she said.
Julia Velez, mother of “Chef Nelson,” said she appreciated that the Air Force is taking care of families.
“I am so glad that we had this opportunity through the Air Force. I am glad they took the lead in this and they are integrating the whole family. They are thinking beyond the service member to everyone’s health. We can actually affect the health of our children starting early and make healthier families, as Air Force families and as military families. I hope all the branches join in and do something like this,” she said.