Bowen District Growers Association (BDGA) and Brisbane Produce Market organised the apple chomping, fruit and veg drawing, Go for 2&5 learning experience for 120 Years 3 and 4 students recently.

The sessions were part of the highly successful Brisbane Produce Market Queensland Kids Fresh Net (QKFN) program that has been presented to more than 7000 students at 100 schools a year in South East Queensland since its inception in 2003.

The QKFN program encourages school children to make healthy eating choices and live active lifestyles, targeting children, parents, teachers and tuckshop conveners.

Late last year the program extended to regional children in Bundaberg where school visits and farm tours are held regularly.

The Bowen QKFN presentation, complete with Fruit and Vegie Gang character Tamara Tomato, is to trial the program in North Queensland and discuss what pathways could be opened to provide more regular contact time with regional children.

The program in the Bowen region involved two school presentations along with website information and activities and an invitation to visit the Brisbane Markets whenever the children, or their parents, are visiting South East Queensland.

The goal of the QKFN program is to encourage the adoption of a healthier life through increased consumption of fresh produce partnered with an active lifestyle.

The Bowen region is one of the largest and fastest growing areas where healthy, nutritious fruit and vegetables are grown for the rest of Australia.

BDGA actively promotes the healthy and nutritional aspect of its members produce and encourages Queenslanders to eat more fresh fruit, vegetables and nuts.