News Release

The NC Strawberry Association (NCSA) would like to make you aware of several resources and activities this spring: Many North Carolina schools will be serving North Carolina strawberries this spring during the weeks of April 29 and May 6. We appreciate the schools' efforts to bring good food to our children and support North Carolina farmers! This program is a cooperative effort of NCSA, NCDA, and the Department of Defense.

This spring, NCSA is sponsoring a Kids' Strawberry Art Contest. It is not a coloring contest--any artwork relating to strawberries or a visit to a strawberry farm qualifies, with creativity, imagination, and observation as our main judging points. There are four age brackets, under-6, 6-8, 9-11, and 12-15. We will be awarding prizes of gift certificates for strawberries, ice cream, and well-known stores. The deadline is June 15. Full information about the contest can be found on our website at www.ncstrawberry.com (go to the Educators section).

The website also has other strawberry-related activities and info for kids, nutritional information, recipes, information about finding and visiting farms, etc. (see contact info for Chatham County Strawberry Growers at the end of this article).

Also, last year we published a coloring/activity book for kids, Strawberry Time. We are again willing to make sample copies available to educators (a .pdf version can be viewed on the website), and larger quantities can be ordered via the website. The booklet tells the story of how strawberries are raised in our region and includes activities for a wide range of ages and skill levels. If you'd like us to send you a copy, send me an email with your mailing address.

Debby Wechsler
NC Strawberry Association
1138 Rock Rest Rd.
Pittsboro, NC 27312
ncstrawberry@mindspring.com
Phone: 919-542-3687
Fax: 919-542-4037